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-Rupee continues to recover, gains Rs4.16 in four months
The Pakistani rupee has maintained a gradual uptrend against the US dollar since the beginning of current fiscal year in July and is anticipated to gain more ground in the remaining eight months amid expectations of increase in foreign currency inflows.
The rupee gradually strengthened Rs4.16 or 2.60% in the past around four months to Rs155.88 to the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Friday, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). “The rupee may recover to 145 to the greenback by June 30, 2020,” Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP) President Malik Bostan projected while talking to The Express Tribune.
Further: -In a positive development, Pakistani Rupee hits highest level of four months against US dollar
The Pakistani rupee has shown recovery against the US dollar as the US currency reached the lowest level in four months.
-ExxonMobil to help build LNG terminal in Pakistan
After getting a liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contract from private-sector consumers, US energy giant ExxonMobil is planning to build the third LNG terminal in Karachi as a joint-venture partner.
Some time ago, ExxonMobil, in collaboration with Pakistan’s exploration and production companies, drilled an offshore well to search for hydrocarbon reserves in the Arabian Sea. However, the effort could not prove successful. Now, in a new venture with Energas consortium, the US firm is going to invest in setting up an LNG terminal in Pakistan.
-Pakistan's Hindu community celebrates Diwali today in a renovated temple reopened by the Pakistan government after 72 years
he country’s Hindu community is celebrating the annual religious festival of Diwali. The religious festivities are expected to take place in Shawala Teja Singh Temple, located in Sialkot, after 72 years.
All preparations for the upcoming festival have been completed. The festival of Diwali is being seen as more of a cultural than a religious one as people from other faiths will celebrate alongside members of the Hindu community.
The temple, where the festivities will take place, was closed down in 1947. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and certain members of the Hindu community decided to open the temple a few months ago, after which the renewal and renovation work had begun. Now, for the first time, this temple is going to celebrate a religious ceremony.
-Tax Returns Filed Per Day in 2019 Have Increased by 127 Percent: FBR Chairman
Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Chairman Syed Shabbar Zaidi has announced that on average, tax returns filed per day in 2019 have risen by 127 percent compared to last year. In a Twitter post, Zaidi shared details of the tax returns filed so far. As per the records, the number of tax returns filed in 2019 till October 25 stands at 918,027, as compared to 585,209 tax returns filed in the same period last year.
Zaidi said that as of November, the FBR will impose strict measures against unauthorized interactions and harassement between its staff and the business community. The business community is suggested to report to FBR if any person contacts them through any manner without proper authorization.
-Pakistan, Nepal agree to enhance trade ties
President Dr. Arif Alvi on Saturday held a meeting with the Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli on the sidelines of 18th Non Aligned Movement Summit in Baku, ARY News reported.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, both the leaders affirmed to enhance trade ties between the two countries and expressed their desire to further strengthen the bonds of friendship. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, regional peace, grave human rights violations and humanitarian crisis in occupied Kashmir and other issues were came under discussion in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, President Alvi briefed the Nepalese prime minister on Indian illegal actions in occupied Kashmir. He expressed hope that Nepal will play its role as SAARC chair, for strengthening peace and stability in the region.
-CPEC enters into 2nd phase: Poverty, agriculture, B2B initiatives prime focus: Khusro
Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar Wednesday said the CPEC has now entered into its second phase with focus on poverty alleviation, agriculture and B2B industrial cooperation.
“The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's economic reform measures will strengthen the country's economy as the investors' confidence is rebounding due to corrective measures," the minister expressed these views while talking to Australian High Commissioner Dr Geoffrey Shaw who called on him on Wednesday. Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan was also present in the meeting.
While discussing bilateral relations and foreign investment in various sectors in Pakistan especially in Gwadar, the minister said that ongoing phase of CPEC will bring about socioeconomic benefits for the welfare of the people. He said that CPEC offers enormous potential to boost national economy and reduce poverty.
-Pakistan's Defence Exports have reached USD 212.6 MILLION IN 2018-2019
According to the Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production’s (MoDP) “First Year Performance Report,” the country had registered $212.6 million US in defence exports from August 2018 to August 2019.
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) booked the highest value at $184.38 million US, which was followed by Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) at $7.13 million US and Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) at $1.3 million US. In addition, private sector firms booked $19.36 million US in sales.
No additional breakdowns were provided by the MoDP. It is likely that PAC’s exports were fueled by co-production work for FC-1/JF-17 sales to Myanmar and/or Nigeria. Though an agreement was signed with Turkey for the sale of 52 Super Mushshak basic trainers, it is unclear if PAC has started manufacturing these aircraft.
-DRAP to launch countrywide drive against substandard, spurious medicines
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is launching a countrywide campaign against substandard medicines, the PM’s Special Assistant on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza said while addressing the federal and provincial drug inspectors in Islamabad on Thursday.
He said a crackdown is being launched throughout the country to eradicate the menace of unregistered, spurious and sub-standard medicine. In addition to medicine quality, he added, DRAP will also take stern action against violation of fixed prices of medicines.
-Foreign exchange: SBP reserves increase $79m to $7.89b
The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank increased 1.14% on a weekly basis, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday.
Earlier, the reserves had spiralled downwards, falling below the $7-billion mark, which raised concern over Pakistan’s ability to meet its financing requirements. However, financial assistance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and other friendly nations helped shore up the foreign exchange reserves.
On October 18, the foreign currency reserves held by the SBP were recorded at $7,892.7 million, up $79 million compared with $7,813.7 million in the previous week. The report cited no reason for the increase in reserves, which stood below the $8-billion mark.
-Ease of business: Pakistan up 28 places on World Bank index
Pakistan has jumped up 28 places on the World Bank’s (WB) Ease of Doing Business Index and secured a place among the top 10 countries with the most improved business climate – a development that will greatly improve Islamabad’s image abroad,
Pakistan carried out six reforms that helped improving its ranking from 136 to 108, according to the WB’s annual flagship report, ‘Ease of Doing Business 2020’, released on Thursday. It turned out to be the sixth global reformer and first in South Asia that brought ease in doing business in the last one year.
The fewer are the regulations the better is the ranking on the index. The key to attain perfection is to cut the bureaucracy hindering business activities in the name of various regulations and procedures.
-CM approves Rs 500m for Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has given approval of Rs 500 million for Punjab Housing & Town Planning Agency. He gave approval while presiding over a high-level meeting at CM Office here on Monday. During the meeting progress on Naya Pakistan Housing Project for low-income persons was reviewed and detailed briefing was also given to the participants on Naya Pakistan Housing strategy.
While addressing the meeting, Usman Buzdar said that obstacles should be removed in order to ensure completion of Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme and financial conditions of common man should be kept in mind while chalking out housing policy of the project. All out attention should be paid while constructing small houses in the province, he added. It has also been decided during the meeting to launch rural housing project in 17 model villages.
-KSE 100 gains 204 points amid improved sentiments
The benchmark KSE 100 Index depicted remarkable progress as it gained around 204 points and concluded at 33,861-level.It was a busy start to the week at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) with earnings season hitting its peak, while volumes remained at par with previous weeks’ average.
Biggest single day investment in treasury bills in the previous week of estimated US $87.5 million, increasing total investment to US$440 million since July 2019 was the major rally point in the market sentiments.
The bourse recorded an intraday low of 33,572.36 soon after the commencement of the session. However, after regaining the momentum, the index marked its day’s high at 34,008.35 adding 350.89 points. It settled higher by 204.13 points at 33,861.59. The KMI 30 Index accumulated 386.53 points to settle at 55,155.92, while the KSE All Share Index managed to gain 86.13 points, ending at 24,543.78.
-Sindh to reserve 0.5% job quota for transgender persons
The Sindh Cabinet on Wednesday agreed to reserve 0.5 per cent quota in government jobs for transgender persons. “I want to bring transgender people into the mainstream,” said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during the cabinet meeting. “We want to make them an asset for our society.”
CM Murad congratulated the transgender community on behalf of the cabinet and advised them to improve their education. Around 41,000 positions are vacant in different government departments across Sindh out of which 206 will be given to transgender people.
A spokesperson from the chief minister’s house stated that out of the 41,000 available jobs 16,000 positions will be filled this fiscal year. Rest of the positions will be filled in the period of next three years.
-Malaysia's Mahathir stands by Kashmir comments despite India palm oil boycott
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday he would not retract his criticism of New Delhi’s actions in occupied Kashmir despite Indian traders calling for an unprecedented boycott of Malaysian palm oil.
The impasse could exacerbate what Mahathir described as a trade war between the world’s second biggest producer and exporter of the commodity and its biggest buyer so far this year.
India’s top vegetable oil trade body on Monday asked its members to stop buying Malaysian palm oil after Mahathir said at the United Nations General Assembly last month that India had “invaded and occupied” Kashmir.
-“World’s two major companies setting up solar panel plants in Pakistan”
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry announced on Monday that the world’s two major solar panel firms will establish their plants in Pakistan. The minister tweeted saying “good news gets lost in political plays, yet I am very happy that the world’s two major companies are setting up solar panel’s plants in Pakistan.”
Chaudhry added that China’s second-largest Lithium battery producer will also set up its workshop in Pakistan. The Lithium battery-powered buses will also be manufactured in Pakistan, the tweet further said. The Minister for Science and Technology was recently on a visit to Beijing where he met various Chinese officials and the country’s business leaders.
-Pakistan Navy organizes free medical camp in Balochistan
Navy organized a free medical camp in the village Dam of Balochistan in collaboration with Sahil and Ulfat welfare foundations. According to the spokesperson of Pakistan Navy, specialist doctors of surgical, medical, skin, gynecology, child and general medically inspected patients at the camp. Over 700 patients were provided with free medical treatment, medicines and ordinary surgical facilities.
-Lahore to get Tram service soon
Citizens of Lahore are getting a modern-day tram service soon, based on the famous British-era tram service. In this regard, the Punjab Transport Department has inked an agreement with CRSC International, a Chinese company specializing in rail transportation control systems, and Inkon Group of the Czech Republic.
The development of the project is divided into several phases. In the first phase, a 35 km track will be constructed on Canal Road, Lahore. Up to 50 trams will run on this track. Once operational, the trams will be able to carry 35,000 passengers in 1 hour. The trams will be powered through electricity and batteries. A single tram will have a service life of around 40 years. 2 tram depots will be constructed at different locations as well.
-10 Pakistani Universities Ranked Among the World’s Best in ‘University Impact Rankings 2019’
Ten Pakistani universities have been ranked among the top universities in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE)’s list. THE is a weekly UK-based magazine that issues its annual list of world’s most influential universities.
The list called ‘University Impact Rankings 2019’ has included 10 Pakistani varsities in different categories, including Gender Equality, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Decent Work, Economic Growth, and others. According to the magazine, the rankings assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
-PM Imran Khan inaugurates China-Hub Power Generation Plant in Balochistan
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that Pakistan is moving forward through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Addressing inaugural ceremony of China Hub Power Generation Plant in Balochistan, he said this is the first joint project under the CPEC umbrella and he is very happy after inaugurating it.
“The government will facilitate joint collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese businesses in various sectors.”, he said. PM Imran Khan said with the help of coal reserves in Thar, Pakistan can generate huge amount of electricity, which can be enough for at least 100 years.
-Punjab Forest Department develops ‘record keeping’ mechanism
Department of Forest Punjab is managing 1.6 million acres of forest land area – 67 per cent of the entire forest land area in Punjab – under the Geographic Information System (GIS), Pakistan Today learnt reliably on Friday. The program enabled the forests department to ensure sound management and introduce state of the art record-keeping and mapping methods.
‘Development of GIS-Based Forest Management Information System in Punjab’ was approved at PC-1 with a cost of Rs75 million and a gestation period of 36 months (2016-2019) has allowed for transfer of all forest resources and inventories into IT-based inventory systems and achieved extensive field surveys, rapid data collection and its processing for development of the forestry sector on efficient lines.
-Hutchison Port Holdings announces $240m investment in Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan has welcomed $240 million foreign investment from Hutchison Port Holdings, a Hong Kong-based port operator. A delegation of Hutchison Port Holdings, led by its Group Managing Director Eric Ip, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday. Other delegation members included HPH Middle East & Africa Managing Director Andy Tsoi and Middle East & Africa Business Director Eric Ng.
Maritime Affairs Minister Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant to PM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Ambassador-at-Large for Foreign Investment Ali Jehangir Siddiqui and Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Haider Gilani were also present on the occasion. Group Managing Director Eric Ip apprised the prime minister of Hutchison’s fresh investment into Pakistan approximating $240 million which will enhance the new container terminal capacity at the Karachi Port, and increase Hutchison Ports’ total investment in Pakistan to $1 billion.
-Punjab's tax collection jumps 44%
Punjab’s tax collection registered a 44% growth to Rs77 billion in first quarter of the ongoing fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of previous year, despite tough conditions of the federal government for the provinces to get a share in the federal divisible pool of resources. Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht disclosed this at a review meeting of the Finance Department on Monday.
The meeting was briefed that despite the financial backlog left by the previous government, the current government gave a surplus budget of Rs233 billion in order to meet financial requirements of the federal government to comply with conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme.
-‘SECP recognised as 7th most effective regulator in world’
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has been recognised as the “7th most effective regulator” by the World Economic Forum in its ‘Global Competitiveness Report-2019’.
“Pakistan was ranked as the 52nd most dynamic economy in the world. The country secured this by improving 15 points from last year, as it stood at 67th in 2018,” said a statement issued by Mishal Pakistan, Country Partner at WEF’s Institute of the Future of Economic Progress System Initiative, on Wednesday. “The progress of Pakistan’s competitiveness was due to the achievements made during the last 12 months.”
The most effective improvements were made due to the initiative and strategies adopted by the apex regulator for the corporate sector and the capital markets; supervision and regulation of insurance, non-banking financial companies and private pension schemes. The SECP improved Pakistan’s competitiveness rankings by improving the “number of days to start a business”, where Pakistan was ranked at the 90th position compared with 96th in 2018.
-Pakistan China bilateral trade crosses $19 billion, highest ever in history
Pakistan Ambassador to China , Naghmana Hashmi has said the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and China has now touched US $ 19.08 billion and both countries aimed to raise it further.
“The bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and China has now touched US$ 19.08. We aim to raise it further,” Ambassador Hashmi said joint ventures in defence production have led to the manufacture of the MBT 2000 Al-Khalid Tank and JF-17 Thunder, a fighter aircraft. “On the diplomatic front, the two countries are committed to protecting and promoting multilateralism and upholding the United Nations (UN)Charter, while our cooperation has extended to science and technology, socioeconomic sectors and nuclear cooperation for peaceful purposes,” she added.
-Foreign Company Agrees to Drop $6 Billion Penalty, Re-Invest in Reko Diq: Reports
The International Center of Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) had slapped the country with a $6 billion penalty for revoking the contract without prior knowledge back in 2009. Soon after the development, the Prime Minister had empowered his financial team to contact the executives of the Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) to reach an out-of-court settlement and avoid the penalty.
Reportedly, after the Pakistan authority’s approach, the company has not only agreed to take back the penalty but has also agreed to invest in the project again. As per media reports, PM Imran Khan contacted the TCC management and discussed the prospects of the matter. He assured the company his full support if they wanted to revise the investment plan for the project. The company will reportedly withdraw its appeal from the ICSID, while Pakistan will compensate for their damages due to the cancelation of the contract.
-Current account deficit shrinks massive 64pc
The country’s current account deficit (cad) in the first quarter of current fiscal year declined by a huge 64 per cent mainly on the back of a 21pc reduction in the imports bill.
The State Bank’s latest data issued on Friday showed the current account deficit for July-September FY20 clocked in at $1.548 billion compared to $4.287bn in the same period last fiscal year; a decline of $2.739bn.
The reduced current account deficit is a positive omen for the government, which is struggling with slow economic growth and high inflation. However, despite massive decline in rupee’s value, the country’s exports have failed to register any noticeable increase during the period.
-Food imports down 24pc, exports up 14pc in Q1 FY20
Food group imports into the country during the first quarter of the current financial year (July-Sept 2019-20) decreased considerably by 24.7pc, whereas exports increased by 13.98pc compared with the corresponding period of last year.
The import of food commodities into the country during the period under review came down from $1.45 billion to $1 billion, whereas the exports increased from $864 million to $984.7 million, according to latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
-Chinese Smartphone Company Realme to build mobile phone manufacturing factory in Pakistan
Chinese company Realme's Director of Marketing in Pakistan Mr He Shunzi in an interview disclosed that Realme is planning to set up the mobile phone manufacturing factory in Pakistan. He told that company is inspecting locations in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Faisalabad Industrial Estate for suitable land. Pakistani mobile market offers guaranteed capital as Realme ranked top five android brands in Pakistan in less than nine months, capturing 8% of total market share, he added.
-Chinese Coal Giant Wants to Convert Thar’s Coal to Diesel
China’s Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Group will help convert Thar’s coal into oil and the talks between the two parties are underway. The Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Group is a subsidiary of China’s biggest coal producer, the Shenhua Group and the company already has the world’s largest plant for converting coal into diesel, with an annual production capacity of 4 million tons in Ningxia in its portfolio.
The agreement, if signed, will be a ‘game-changer’ for Pakistan, believes Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, who accompanied Imran Khan on his recent visit to China. The Pakistani delegation held talks with the Shenhua Group during the trip:
-In a positive development, Pakistan projected among top 20 rising economic growth engines of the World
Pakistan projected among 20 top rising economic growth engines of the World that would dominate the global growth in next 5 years. Pakistan has been projected as one of 20 countries that will dominate global growth in five years time in 2024, an assessment made by Bloomberg using data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
-In a positive development, Pakistan textile exports register increase
Textile exports from the country increased by 2.95pc during the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July-Sept FY20) compared with the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. The textile exports during the period under review were recorded at $3,371.974 million as against the exports of $3,275.303 million during July-September 2018-19, according to latest data by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The textile commodities that contributed to the positive growth included raw cotton, exports of which grew by 53.65pc, from $7.047 million to $10.828 million. Similarly, the exports of yarn (other than cotton yarn) increased by 21.95pc, from $7.759 million last year to $9.462 million, while that of knitwear surged by 11.14pc, from $701.393 million to $779.548 million.
-Kartarpur Corridor will open to public on November 9: PM Imran
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday announced that Pakistan will inaugurate the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9. The premier’s announcement came via a Facebook post in which he said that construction work on the Pakistani side had entered the final stage. “Pakistan is all set to open its doors for Sikhs from all across the globe,” he wrote. “World’s largest Gurdwara will be visited by Sikhs from across India and other parts of the world,” he said.
-'$1.2b penalty in Karkey case likely to be waived'
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and senior lawyer Babar Awan has said that the $1.2 billion penalty that Pakistan has to pay to Turkey’s Karkey rental power plant is likely to be waived.
“International institutions, through high-level backdoor contacts, have agreed to waive off the penalty. This is very good news for Pakistan,” said Awan while addressing the media on Friday. “International institutions have shown their trust in Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he added.
-Punjab Govt to Introduce a Unified Tax Collection System
Punjab government is contemplating the introduction of a unified tax collection system in the province. The unified system will streamline the tax collection process and facilitate the taxpayers. At the moment, Punjab Revenue Department, Excise and Taxation Department, and local administrations collect taxes in Punjab. On Sunday, Finance Minister of Punjab, Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, headed a meeting of Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA). Bakht said that a special tax management unit will be set up at the Punjab finance department that will unify tax collection all across the country.
-PM To Launch Clean Green Pakistan Index for Multiple Cities
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, said that Imran Khan will launch the Clean Green Pakistan Index (CGPI) at a grand launching ceremony on October 30. The initiative is aimed at introducing competition among cities on various indicators, including public access to clean drinking water, safe sanitation, effective solid waste management, and tree plantation.
The prime minister will announce a six-month competition among 19 cities of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces, he added. The adviser said that after six months, these cities will be ranked again and those with prominent progress will be rewarded with special federal and provincial government funds and more cities will be joining the competition.
-PM Khan Will Lay The Foundation of Baba Guru Nanak University on Oct. 28
Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to lay the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University on October 28. The establishment of this university in Nankana Sahib was announced earlier this year when PM Khan was in the town for a Spring Tree Plantation Campaign.
-Sindh govt invites bids for Dhabeji SEZ
The Sindh government has launched the well-connected Dhabeji Special Economic Zone in district Thatta near Port Qasim, according to a statement issued on Monday. In this connection, the Sindh Economic Zones Management Company (SEZMC), being the provincial SEZ custodian, has invited proposals for the development and operation of Dhabeji project through an advertisement published in leading national and international newspapers.
Dhabeji SEZ was highlighted in the recent meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Working Group on Industrial Cooperation. The senior officials of China’s National Development Reforms Commission (NDRC) appreciated the Sindh government on the progress made so far. The Sindh government launched the project through an international competitive bidding process as a build-up to the upcoming 10th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting between China and Pakistan, which would be held next month.
-Rice exports surge 51pc in first quarter FY20
Rice exports from the country during the first quarter of the financial year 2019-20 grew by 50.76pc as compared to the corresponding period last year. During the July-September period, about 839,356 metric tonnes of rice, worth $470.584 million, were exported as compared the exports of 551.5,86 metric tonnes, valuing $312.147 million, during the same period of FY19.
According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the exports of basmati rice increased by 47.29pc, as 212,873 metric tonnes of basmati rice ($194.669 million) were exported during the first quarter of FY20, as compared the 127,669 metric tonnes ($132.166 million) in the same period of last year. Meanwhile, 34,090 metric tonnes of fish and fish preparations worth $79.549 million were also exported in the period under review as compared to the exports of 25,859 metric tonnes valuing $67.294 million during the same period of last year.

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News roundup for the previous week.
In International news

1. Chinese in Australia have setup their own safety networks due to lack of police response
   
2. China Is Our Last Diplomatic Hope for North Korea
   
3. Mass deportation of Chinese from #Fiji in latest offshore crackdown by Beijing: Fijian and Chinese law enforcement agencies arrest 77 in joint operation similar to others carried out in Indonesia and Cambodia
   
4. Launch of China- #Malaysia rail link signals stronger ties: China is funding the 620km-long rail link stretching from Tumpat town, near Malaysia's border with Thailand, to Kuantan Port, before cutting through the mountainous central region to Port Klang, Malaysia's busiest port
   
5. #Canadians Have Worse Impression Of U.S. Government Than China: Abacus Poll 49% said they had a "very negative" impression of the U.S. 22% for China. Co-author said it was "remarkable" Canadians having more favourable views of China and Russia than of the "passionate defender of individual freedoms"
   
6. China hands Trump a win on North Korea crisis
   
7. Taiwan calls time on Mongolia and Tibet affairs commission
   
8. South Korean's Leader Bluntly Warns U.S. Against Striking North (Apparently not important enough to make it on Google News Headlines)
   
9. Fighting for Chinatown
   
10. China won’t allow regime change in N. Korea – fmr US diplomat
    
11. Ukraine seeks greater presence in China's agro products market
    
12. China tells ‘imperfect’ US to mind its own business over religious freedom criticism
    
13. Asian Americans Are Targeted For Hate Crimes More Than We Think
    
14. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (#SCO) completed a joint anti-terrorist drill in Russia's Yaroslavl region located northeast of Moscow, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said
    
15. Man Gets Sentenced To Life For Killing USC Student From China
    
16. Beijing signs deals with Nepal
    
17. Chinese universities rise in world university academic rankings
    
18. China's New Base in Djibouti to Aid Economic Expansion in #Africa. Currently, China mainly imports minerals and oil from Africa, but its long-term plan is to build factories on the continent and move some of its manufacturing there to take advantage of the cheaper labor and geographic position
    
19. Hard-pedaling Soft Power, China Helps Launch $13B Belt and Road Rail Project in #Malaysia: "The ECRL is indeed yet another 'game changer' and a 'mindset changer' for Malaysia as it will significantly cut travel time to and from the east coast of the peninsula," Malaysian Prime Minister said
    
20. 'Economic war with China is everything' Steve Bannon got removed (lol)
    
21. Chinese Yang Jiayu wins women's 20km race walk at London World Championships
    
22. Asian woman says she quit Google due to racial discrimination
    
23. Chinese-Americans concerned about new Texas immigration law
    
24. Chinese and #African media houses vow to deepen cooperation in information sharing, best practice and training to improve the dissemination of information
    
25. #Pakistan, China sign documents to enhance cooperation in the fields of education and infrastructure development
    
26. Former Shanghai teacher now a tribal chief in Nigeria
    
27. ‘Duterte wants joint exploration with China’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said
    

In Domestic news

1. Two arrested in 22-year murder case, one suspect award-winning writer, member of Chinese Writers Association [Chinese]
   
2. HK Democracy activist Howard Lam, (aka Staples-Tortured Chub), arrested for misleading police over kidnap claim
   
3. Sinopec goes big on geothermal
   
4. China Launches ‘Special Crackdown’ on Pyramid Schemes
   
5. Police may look into mental health of Hong Kong democracy activist Howard Lam after kidnap claim suspecting mental issues and the stapling was an act of self-harm
   
6. 1,290 meters! The main construction of the world's longest 3-tower cable-stayed railway bridge has completed in China
   
7. Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong jailed over Occupy protests
   
8. China is investigating its major social media sites, including Baidu, WeChat and Weibo, for potentially breaching cybersecurity laws
   
9. China’s Major Social Platforms to Cooperate With Authorities in #Cybersecurity: Tieba communication platform, the WeChat messenger and Weibo made separate statements earlier in the day declaring their readiness to actively cooperate with the CAC
   
10. China Launches World's Largest Floating #Solar Power Plant: over 160,000 solar panels spreading over 86 hectares of water surface, can provide energy for some 15,000 houses annually
    

In SciTech news

1. #Nanochemistry meets macrostructures: Chinese scientists report the synthesis of a macroscopic aerogel from carbonitride nanomaterials which is an excellent catalyst for the water-splitting reaction under visible-light irradiation
   
2. Light, strong alloy may alter design of aircraft: The nano ceramic aluminum alloy was developed at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The new material has already been used in the Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 space labs, quantum satellites and meteorological satellites
   
3. Converting greenhouse gas to value-added syngas takes a big step forward
   
4. China to build first #Mars simulation base: Situated at the Qaidam basin in western Qinghai, Haixi was chosen for its Mars-like landform, landscape and climate
   
5. Seeking Greater Global Power, China Looks to Robots and Microchips
   
6. Earliest-Known Winged #Mammal Relatives Discovered In China: When you think about the Jurassic Period, you probably think of massive dinosaurs. But now scientists say there were also gliders, akin to today's flying squirrels . Maiopatagium furculiferum and Vilevolodon diplomylos
   
7. Chinese satellite sends 'hack-proof' message: The #Micius satellite beamed messages to two mountain-top receiving stations 645 km (400 miles) and 1,200 km away. Complicated optics on the Chinese satellite protect messages with entangled photons
   
8. New Privacy Mode Added to DJI Drones, US Army Released Memo to Grant Exception to DJI Ban Pending this New Privacy Mode
   
9. Scientists have cloned genetically modified piglets that may prove a safe source of organs for transplants into humans. The piglets, born in a lab in Yunnan, do not carry the active infectious viral gene which has impeded the process of pig-to-human transplantation for more than a decade
   
10. China to establish intercontinental ‘hack-proof’ #quantum links with Australia, Europe: Further experiments this year will evolve ground stations in Germany and Italy, Pan added, bringing the project closer to the planned Asian-European secure communication network
    
11. Woman Becomes First Person to Be Cryopreserved in China
    
12. Novel Thruster Design Could Enable Deeper Travel Into Space
    
13. China launches brain-imaging factory
    
14. Chinese scientists reveal how itch turns into scratch. In a study published in the U.S. journal Science, researchers reported the discovery of a central neural circuit that moves itch signal from the spinal cord to a part of the brainstem called the parabrachial nucleus (PBN).
    
15. China pips US to start world’s first meltdown-proof nuclear reactor
    
16. China has unveiled the world's first 'unhackable computer network'
    
17. 1,069 dancing robots break Guinness World Record in China (VIDEO)
    
18. Despite strains, China and the US are top partners in science
    
19. Woman saved by pioneering 3D printed spine in China: had to have six consecutive cervical vertebrae replaced because they had been affected by the rare cancer
    
20. Chinese Internet majors compete to dominate #ASEAN tech ecosystem: Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and JD.com – collectively termed BATJ – are leading a wave of investment into Southeast Asia’s venture ecosystem and technology sector
    
21. Who Are China's Biggest Fabless Chipmakers?
    

In Economic news

1. Spotlight: Bashing China cannot solve U.S. economic problems, experts say
   
2. China July FX reserves unexpectedly hit 9-month high on boost from weak dollar: China's forex reserves, the world's largest, rose $24 billion in July to $3.081 trillion
   
3. China's Economic Outlook in Six Charts
   
4. Fiat Chrysler could be bought by a Chinese automaker If a deal comes to fruition, it would be a big boon for Chinese car companies looking to improve
   
5. Industrial “edge cities” have helped China grow
   
6. Deng Xiaoping - the world's greatest economist
   
7. US formally launches probe of China trade ties
   
8. China emerging as Germany's main economic rival
   
9. New investment rules to curb China's foreign acquisition binge
   
10. How China’s can-do generation will power economic growth
    
11. Young Taiwanese choose China jobs over politics
    

In Military news

1. What is China’s PLA doing in #Laos? Beijing's 'Train of Peace' mission to provide medical care to Lao armed forces was nominally a goodwill mission but underscored the country's strategic importance to China's plans for Southeast Asia
   
2. Russia, China challenging US military dominance: Mattis
   
3. China's making major progress with its aircraft carrier tech (Type 002 to have flat top with catapult, Type 003 to be nuclear powered supercarriers)
   
4. Think Tank Says Beijing Continuing #SouthChinaSea Construction. Photos of Tree Island demonstrate sizeable expansion of the island’s above-water mass between August 5, 2015, and August 5, 2017. The size of the island increased by roughly 24 acres between during the time period, AMTI said
   
5. #Taiwan says Chinese aircraft fly around island in weekend of drills
   
6. #Space Standoff: Uncertainty in Militarized Space. If Russian policy towards the American space program is described as unfriendly, then U.S. policy towards China can be described as nothing short of hostile
   
7. Construction of China's 2nd #AircraftCarrier for PLAN Progressing Faster than Expected: propulsion system tests are currently underway. The first and third boilers are already on, and the steam turbines will soon follow. Dockside testing could start within the next month
   
8. China has announced plans to bolster its maritime #nuclear capabilities with the creation of a major new joint venture project, could provide the catalyst for the development of floating reactors. The new company will also seek to promote the development of nuclear-powered vessels
   
9. The #Pentagon’s top general Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he discussed with his Chinese counterparts ways to coordinate with China’s military to avoid dangerous miscalculations should war break out with North Korea
   

Other Notables

1. Adopted to the US, an American teen’s journey in search of her roots
   
2. The busiest employee in a warehouse? Meet China-made warehouse robot!
   
3. New research blamed increased competition with China for soaring death rates among white, middle aged Americans (lol)?
   
4. On the other side of the table: Nepalese commenters on youtube - to Nepal, India is the big bully, loves China, calls for China's protection
   
5. Why Nirvana in Fire is the Best Cdrama
   
6. July 2017 Study Refutes Earlier Theories of "Increased US White Male Despair / Deaths Due to Loss of Jobs to China" ("Opioids and obesity, not 'despair deaths,' raising mortality rates for white Americans)
   
7. China starts work on world's second-largest hydropower station
   
8. Vincent Chin was a Chinese American Man beaten to death in 1982 with a baseball bat by two laid off auto-workers who blamed him for losing their jobs because Japanese cars started becoming popular. The men received initial sentences of 3 years probation and no jail time.
   
9. Chinese Guy & American Girlfriend React to Racist Fox News Chinatown Segment
   
10. Preserving Nanjing's architectural treasures
    
11. The King's Woman 秦时丽人明月心 Airs this week
    
12. Hollywood chases after Wu Jing as Wolf Warriors 2, a film with $30M budget crosses $700M mark and still rising.
    
13. #Taichi is big in China and its influence is spreading globally: China's mega-rich and powerful believe the merits of the gentle exercise boosts not only personal well-being but company profits and transforms corporate cultures
    
14. Why My School Teaches Students to Survive on Next to Nothing
    
15. Eddie Huang Serves A White Supremacist & Trump Supporter The Facts While They Eat Chinese Food
    
16. #Banda Islands: How Chinese traders – and war over an aphrodisiac – led to a multicultural Indonesia. The world’s major powers considered the Banda Islands the key spoil of a spice war hundreds of years ago and it is this bloody past that made the country what it is today
    
17. How the ‘Safest Place on Earth’ Can Be More Welcoming to Others
    
18. Modern Chinese Architecture: Landscape Design of Suzhou Vanke Great Lake Park
    
19. No.66 Lanman Hutong Renovation
    
20. RAW: China holds massive day-night live-fire artillery drill
    
21. When Hong Kong workmen dug up 2,000-year-old tomb and were all set to demolish it until public’s enthusiasm saved the day
    
22. Long awaited Tribes & Empires: Storm of Prophecy confirmed to air on September 25, 2017.
    
23. Heads up, our brothers in arms RT channel has amazing series of documentaries on Chinese culture and the new silk road, very beautifully shot.
    
24. Any recent documentaries about modern china history that aren't from the western perspective with English subs or audio?
    
25. Forgotten ally? China's unsung role in World War II
    
26. 81-Year-Old Chinese Husband Serenades Wife In a Coma For Their 54th Anniversary
    
27. How Chop Suey Saved San Francisco's Chinatown [Chinese Food: An All-American Cuisine, Pt. 1]
    
28. The Untold Story Of America's Southern Chinese [Chinese Food: An All-American Cuisine, Pt. 2]
    
29. 5000 thousands years of beauty.
    
30. #WolfWarrior2 Crosses $600M In China; No. 6 All-Time Gross In A Single Market
    
31. Throwback to when movies used to start with this...
    
32. Alright, I know some of us support Trump, but this better not be you (3rd generation Chinese American Neo-Nazi supporter)
    
33. Why the Western definition of human rights is an absurd fraud
    
34. #WWE Network to Launch in China: Vince McMahon's pro wrestling organization signed a deal with PPTV to offer a subscription video-on-demand service including all live pay-per-view events
    
35. Documentary explores the history of astronomy in China
    
36. 'Economic war with China is everything': Trump’s chief strategist in candid interview
    
37. The Chinese massacre of 1871 in Los Angeles, California. An estimated 17 to 20 Chinese immigrants were tortured and then hanged by the mob, making the event the largest mass lynching in American history.
    
38. Chinese Social Political Stability Rests in "Dual Faceted Identity System" (A Model Societal System Analysis based on Recent Rise of White Nationalism in US)
    
39. Lu Xiaojun (77) - 170kg/175kg/177kg Snatch Slow Motion
    
40. The Surprisingly Important Role China Played in WWI
    
41. Chinese Farmer Builds Epic Multi-Story Platform For 'Pig Diving'
    
42. Ai Weiwei takes a small break from mocking Chinese government to criticise western society - "Human Flow" documentary film about refugees
    
43. Review: Capitalism With Chinese Characteristics
    
44. Hollywood hero with Chinese characteristics
    
45. BBC calls what Chinese are doing 'exploitation' while the exact same thing done in the west is ignored.
    
46. Ancient poetry content in Chinese text books to sharply increase
    
47. The Love Affair of Mussolini’s Daughter Edda & Zhang Xueliang, Heroic China Warlord
    
48. 57-year-old man grabs gold medals in body building competition
    
49. Cambridge University Press pulls articles in China at Beijing’s request
    
50. China's Wolf Warriors 2 joins top 100 grossing films worldwide: non-Hollywood film to break into the top 100 all-time grossing movies worldwide. Knocked 1994's "Forrest Gump" from the No 100 spot
    
51. 《追捕》 Manhunt (directed by John Woo) International Trailer
    
52. Why Nirvana in Fire is the Best Chinese Drama - Part 2/2
    
53. Trying to learn more about traditional chinese culture, what can you guys tell me about the color Qing?
    
54. Robot introduced to hospital to autofill prescriptions in E. China
    
55. Something worth a grin
    
56. Story of China’s ancient military might found carved in cliff
    

News roundup for the previous week.
In International news

1. Feature: U.S. dignitaries say U.S., China must keep good relations to benefit world
   
2. 'Serious' hack attacks from China targeting UK firms: The gang behind the attacks has compromised technology service firms and plans to use them as a proxy for attacks, security firms have said
   
3. Americans' concerns about China: ranked
   
4. China donated 12,173 tonnes of rice to Zimbabwe to assist vulnerable people that were affected by drought which wreaked havoc last year. In 2016, China already donated 19,000 tonnes of rice which had been distributed to the needy throughout the country
   
5. China, South Korea discuss more sanctions on North Korea amid talk of Trump action
   
6. Freight train to leave Britain on long haul for China
   
7. Blackwater founder Erik Prince eyes opportunities with China
   
8. China’s National Space Administration Secretary-General Yulong Tian says that China is contemplating developing cooperation with Russia with respect to space debris
   
9. American-Chinese Lady's Dream of Attending Tsinghua: Those who were born in America should know their roots and identify themselves as Chinese because they will not get lost, feel ashamed or reject their motherland's culture in the crisis of identity of American society, Tan concluded
   
10. Racist United Airline Overbooked Flight, Forcibly Removes Asian Doctor and His Wife For No Reason Other Than to Free up Seats (United - has acknowledged that the man's only apparent crime was that the flight was overbooked and he refused to leave voluntarily)
    
11. Boy, two, and parents suffer burns after acid attack in north London
    
12. Russia may abandon International Space Station to join forces with China
    
13. A consortium of Chinese and Indonesian firms on Tuesday signed a contract with KCIC, a firm tasked with monitoring the high-speed train project linking Jakarta to Bandung, unveiling the construction phase of the project
    
14. China warns against using military force in Syria
    
15. United Passenger's Violent Removal Sparks Outrage In China: Images of a bloodied passenger being forcibly removed from a United Airlines flight in Chicago drew widespread condemnation in China following a witnesses' report that the man said he was targeted because he was Chinese
    
16. Chinese Lives Matter Petition Becoming Viral in the Overseas Chinese Community
    
17. China and Norway resume free trade negotiations after diplomatic freeze: The memorandum of understanding was one of six pacts covering cooperation on economic development, technology, health, science and sport
    
18. Russia and China Finding Ways to Avoid the U.S. Dollar: The Central Bank of Russia opened its first overseas office in Beijing. ICBC established a clearing bank in Moscow to handle transactions in Chinese currency. Russia is preparing to issue its first federal loan bonds in Chinese currency
    
19. Many in China think doctor was dragged off because he was Asian. 'United Airlines just randomly chose an Asian? It’s blatant racial discrimination' 'a perfect illustration' of human rights in the US. 'I am going to tell you a joke: America is the country with the best human rights'
    
20. Chinese social media continues to rage at United, and the airline may face real fallout
    
21. China tells US to resolve Korea tensions peacefully
    
22. China commits US$60bn to Africa
    
23. China warns India over Dalai's visit to disputed area
    
24. China Might Bomb North Korea If It Crosses Beijing’s ‘Bottom Line’
    
25. Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, appeared to acknowledge that China hasn’t been intervening to weaken its currency recently. “They’re not currency manipulators," he said. (finally we can move on from this made up/outdated fight)
    
26. Trump says he told Xi how he bombed Syria over ‘most beautiful piece of cake’: says that he was faced with a dilemma – whether to inform Xi. “What does he do, finish his dessert and go home and then they say, you know, the guy you just had dinner with just attacked a country?” Trump mused
    
27. Trump claims China has turned back N. Korean coal ships, lauds it as 'big step': "The vast amount of coal that comes out of North Korea going to China, they've turned back the boats. That's a big step, and they have many other steps that I know about."
    
28. Chinese premier holds talks with Sao Tome and Principe counterpart on cooperation
    
29. Lukashenko: Belarus is ready to increase food supplies to China's Hunan Province
    
30. China publicly criticises US missile strike on Syria
    
31. China, Sri Lanka vow to deepen cooperation to further develop strategic cooperative partnership
    
32. Russian-Chinese Joint Ventures in Russia’s Far East, Arctic: An integral element in increasing bilateral trade will be the increased maritime transit of goods and hydrocarbon resources by developing Russia’s merchant marine infrastructure
    
33. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed his plans to visit China in May to take part in the "One Belt, One Road" forum in Beijing
    
34. White House: China Abstained From UN Vote on Syria Thanks to Trump-Xi
    
35. The 10 minutes with Xi Jinping that changed Donald Trump’s mind on North Korea
    
36. First rail freight service to China departs UK: British goods including soft drinks, vitamins and baby products are in the 30 containers carried by the train, which will be a regular service. The train will pass through 7 other countries before arriving on 27 April
    
37. Chinese FM: Political settlement is only reliable and right way to solve crisis in Syria
    
38. Belarus' cooperation with Hunan Province hailed as example to follow
    
39. "There can be no winners in an armed conflict between the U.S. and North Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programs, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday [14 April 2017], while pledging China's support for any attempts at dialogue between the sides."
    
40. In the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, China ranked 15 among 136 countries in 14 dimensions, up two spots
    
41. China seeks Russia's help to 'cool' N. Korea situation
    
42. China says deal reached at last with Myanmar on oil pipeline
    
43. Foreign Minister statement on Korea situation. Check out the comments.
    

In Domestic news

1. China anti-graft body investigating chief insurance regulator
   
2. Beijing to reward informants on spying
   
3. Luxembourg Consulate Staff tries to physically assault old Chinese man in Shanghai
   
4. China emerges as digital rights champion with new info privacy law
   
5. President Xi meets incoming HKSAR chief executive
   
6. JD.com to build 150 airports in China for drone delivery: Drone delivery would help reduce the freight costs by 70 percent. It said its drones, which can carry 50 kilograms of parcels, have been put into use and drones that can carry 500 kilograms are in the pipeline
   
7. Graph: Finding China's missing girls who show up in the census years -- sometimes decades -- after birth
   
8. China raises pensions amid pressure from slowing economy, aging population
   
9. China Focus: Xiongan's key role is to receive Beijing's non-capital functions: vice premier
   

In SciTech news

1. The Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Startups in China
   
2. Self-charging robots sorting system helps Chinese delivery firm finish at least 200k packages a day in the warehouse
   
3. Seaweed: From superfood to superconductor. Yang, currently at Qingdao University, worked with colleagues at Qingdao University and at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the U.S. to make porous carbon nanofibers from seaweed extract
   
4. Squishy robotic manta ray flaps its wings to spy in the ocean: The goal is to use the robot to explore underwater areas, says Tiefeng Li at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. “The soft body will make it easy for the robot to sneak through reefs without damaging them,”
   
5. Geek Culture Could Teach Americans About Chinese Technology, Says Technopreneur: According to Zhang, being called a geek is a compliment in China as someone who is "super cool" and knowledgeable about technology, and doesn't mean being weird or socially awkward
   
6. Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent advance China’s AI development goals, says Microsoft research head. The mainland may be closing in on the US in developing AI, led by its three main internet firms, says Harry Shum Heung-yeung, executive vice-president for the artificial intelligence and research group
   
7. China Emerges as Powerhouse for Biotech Drugs
   
8. China launches 1st high-throughput communications satellite
   
9. Legion Y520 Review - Lenovo's Best Laptop For $850 (Dave Lee review)
   
10. Researchers in China and US made a new viral tracking tool by encapsulating HIV-1 in fluorescent quantum dots to observe how the virus enters macrophages at the single particle level in live cells. Technique may help in development of inhibitors that stop HIV from entering macrophages altogether.
    
11. Chuwi Hi13: First Look at the Windows 10 2-in-1 with Surface Book Display
    
12. SpaceX doesn’t scare Asia’s space players
    
13. Google AI's AlphaGo to face Chinese teen in May - Science & Tech
    
14. China’s Desert Hamsters on Medicine’s Front Line: The humble Chinese hamster has played a vital role in medical advances for more than a century, thanks to its biological makeup
    

In Economic news

1. The bulls are back after China kicks off 2017 with strength: "There's been this cyclical recovery — China's in an easing mode … It shows up in the economic numbers, and it shows up in many company earnings reports," said Brendan Ahern, chief investment officer at Krane Funds Advisors
   
2. America owes China $1tn. That's a problem for Beijing, and Trump knows it
   
3. U.S. and European regulators have cleared ChemChina's proposed $43 billion acquisition of Swiss agribusiness giant Syngenta on condition it sells some businesses to satisfy anti-monopoly objections
   
4. Ballpoint pens and the danger of China’s ‘one-dragon’ policy
   
5. The Next Time Americans Want To Believe They Have Free Markets, Remind Them of United Airlines
   
6. The surprising rise of China as IP powerhouse
   
7. US firms cashing in on China's shift to consumer economy
   
8. China is investing in Silicon Valley start-ups with military applications at such a rapid rate that the United States government needs tougher controls to stem the transfer of some of America’s most promising technologies, a Pentagon report says
   
9. WhatsApp looks to copy China's Tencent-owned WeChat
   
10. Why Trump won't be branding China a currency cheater
    
11. China Focus: China's consumer inflation steady amid firming economy
    
12. China Focus: Chinese companies come, hiring more locals in U.S.: Chinese investment in the U.S. outstripped U.S. investment in China for the first time in 2015, according to the Rhodium Group. Chinese investment has supported about 104,000 jobs in the United States
    
13. China's forex reserves rise for second month in a row: concerns about capital outflows have receded lately, with the Chinese economy on a firmer footing, supported by a string of upbeat data including industrial profits, factory activity and fixed asset investment
    
14. Trump won't label China a currency manipulator
    
15. U.S. business leaders see benefits from strong trade ties with China
    
16. China’s top maker of air conditioners breezes into Brazil’s economy and society
    
17. Beijing thinking big on switch to a big data economy: Ministry pushes five-year plan to develop big data into a trillion-yuan industry. The target is for the big data industry, including related goods and services, to exceed 1 trillion yuan (US$144 billion) in revenue by 2020
    
18. How Oppo, Vivo and xiaomi conquered India (OPPO、vivo和小米们如何夺取印度半壁江山?)
    
19. Korea, China, Japan to hold new round of free trade talks
    
20. U.S. Treasury says China does not manipulate its currency
    
21. China’s Global Solar Business Shakes Foreign Competitors: China’s relentless pursuit to become self-dependent on sophisticated industries, such as solar panel systems, have left foreign competitors and even smaller-scale Chinese businesses in the dust
    

In Military news

1. Thailand to buy more Chinese tanks, reportedly for $58M: According to Thai government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the cabinet has approved the acquisition of 10 more VT4 main battle tanks designed and built by China’s Norinco
   
2. China and US agree to top military talks to head off close armed encounters: New mechanism between Chinese and US armed forces could ease Beijing’s suspicions about US moves, analyst says
   
3. China and Russia are Catching Up to the U.S. Military: America’s enemies are rapidly catching up and in some cases exceeding the United States in terms of military technology, according to senior U.S. Navy official Rear Adm. Mark Darrah
   
4. US racing China to develop hypersonic attack drones by 2040
   
5. China is testing its new PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM) designed to shoot down defenseless U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aerial tankers and airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C) from as far away as 300 kilometers
   
6. China Takes Wraps Off National Hypersonic Plan
   
7. Chinese armed police hold anti-terror drill in Xinjiang
   
8. SOUTHCOM Tidd: Russia, Iran and China Expanding Influence in Central, South America. Russia, China and Iran are increasing interest in Central and South America, especially Moscow’s renewed focus on Nicaragua, the head of U.S. Southern Command told the Senate
   
9. China Coast Guard vessels patrol Diaoyu Islands on Fri, the 10th time this year
   

Other Notables

1. Demolishing Dalian: China's 'Russian' city is erasing its heritage – in pictures
   
2. DJI - M200 – Search and Rescue in Extreme Environments
   
3. Driving under the rainbow! Watch China's first and only rainbow tunnel
   
4. Ancient Chinese tomb-sweeping festival goes hi-tech: If you can't get to the grave yourself, staff at the Yuhuatai Gongdeyuan cemetery will clean tombs and place bouquets for paying clients, who watch the ritual via a livestream on the Wechat app instead
   
5. Shanghai past and present
   
6. High Profile Korean-Chinese Movie coproduction is a scifi set to release June 30th in China - Starring Yang Mi, Wallace Huo, Produced by Jackie Chan
   
7. Westerners oughtn’t to criticize China for its ‘fake cities’: hypocrisy in the way Western media approaches "duplitecture". Core neighborhoods within Manhattan Island owe their architecture to Mannheim, Germany. Try and tell apart the central districts of Buenos Aires, Argentina from Madrid, Spain
   
8. The Chinese engineer who mined an American life in Hibbing: In 1914 Wen Ping Pan became the first Chinese student at UofM. Met his wife Mae Humm, who was half-Irish like his mother. She retained an Irish temper and a talent for gab. As a result, she did most of the talking in their 63 yr marriage
   
9. 3-part online low-key documentary series looking at different lives in China. First part features Wuhan and punk band SMZB.
   
10. Is Hong Kong less free now than under British colonial rule?
    
11. Goddess Ivanka continues to win the hearts of Chinese people as she began teaching Mandarin Chinese to Theodore, her youngest son. The boy began his Mandarin lessons just a week following his first birthday
    
12. The Mercury Rivers of Emperor Qin Shi Huang
    
13. The Chinese engineer who mined an American life on Minnesota's Iron Range
    
14. Parcel sorting facility in China
    
15. China and The Troubling Idealization of Ivanka
    
16. Xiongan New Area to be Shenzhen of the north
    
17. China's New World Order - the new Silk Road
    
18. Why The NY Time’s Title of ‘Goddess Ivanka’ Is Misleading
    
19. The Lionsgate movie “Power Rangers” got the approval of China’s censor for theatrical release on May 12 even if it has a gay character
    
20. A Chinese bank employee is being hailed as a hero after risking his life to save a female customer from a robber who put a knife to her neck
    
21. Unfettered online hate speech fuels Islamophobia in China.
    
22. 汉服音乐微电影 汉家衣裳 超清
    
23. Xiongan construction expected to drive up China steel market
    
24. China's Xiongan New Area: Protecting environments a major task
    
25. White Mainstream Media Goes On The Offensive Against Critics of United Airlines
    
26. Success of China behind the growing allure of authoritarianism: the economic successes of China and some other countries may have helped create an underlying crisis of confidence in liberal ideas and values
    
27. What does the Hong Kong Sevens have to do with Hongkongers?
    
28. Thoughts on article about British Colonialism holding India Back? How did China overcome the Century of Humiliation while the British Raj's legacy still looms over India?
    
29. Taiwanese music festival
    
30. Foreign girls and their Chinese Mr. Right: Confronted with failure in College Entrance Examination Mei Aisi went to Ukraine for study
    
31. What Would Have Happened If China Didn't Develop Nuclear Weapons?
    
32. Child prodigy from Sale scores highest possible IQ score, beating Einstein and Hawking (From Messenger Newspapers)
    
33. Discussion: Do you think the current escalation in the Korean Peninsula could possibly end up becoming a big boon to China?
    
34. Chinese explorer's incredible arctic journey: This is the Arctic Circle, and Zhanjiang-born Wu Yu has just become the first person to ever drive here from China, some 8,000 kilometers away
    
35. Reviving traditional Chinese archery: As one of the traditional Six Arts that have their roots in Confucian philosophy and formed the basis of education in ancient Chinese culture, archery has a long history in China
    
36. The Results Are In: 2016 Is a Record-Breaking Year for Tall Buildings
    
37. Pictures: Apricot flowers in blossom at Jinshanling Great Wall
    
38. Something I noticed about chinese-canadians in canada
    
39. TIL that the first king of the first muslim kingdom in indonesia was chinese indonesian
    
40. Getting paid to do nothing: why the idea of China’s dibao is catching on
    
41. Five thousand years of Chinese civilisation through 108 million relics - Four year survey finds that is just what is in the hands of the state. The number grows even more when considering overseas museums and private collectors
    

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Class IV Budget

• Budget Year $2,041.00
• GDP $1,396,895,176,879.29
• GDP Growth % 5.60%
• GDP Per Capita $10,535.78
• Expenditure $258,425,607,722.67
• Expenditure % GDP 18.50%
• Revenue % GDP 18.50%
• Deficit % GDP 0.00%
• Deficit/Bonds Issued $0
• Debt $0.00
• Debt % GDP 0.00%
• Bond Interest Rate 1.50%
• Population 132,585,773
• Population Growth 0.42%

Category	Percentage	Allocated Funds
Department of Education	18.38%	$47,500,000,000.00
Department of Health	13.83%	$35,750,000,000.00
Department of National Defense	9.29%	$24,000,000,000.00
Defense Research & Procurement	1.39%	$3,600,000,000.00
Department of Public Works and Highways	9.77%	$25,250,000,000.00
Department of Social Welfare and Development	7.74%	$20,000,000,000.00
Department of Science and Technology	7.45%	$19,250,000,000.00
Department of Interior and Local Government	5.22%	$13,500,000,000.00
Department of Agriculture	3.87%	$10,000,000,000.00
Department of Transportation and Communications	3.29%	$8,500,000,000.00
Department of Finance	2.71%	$7,000,000,000.00
Department of Environment and Natural Resources	2.71%	$7,000,000,000.00
Energy Transition Plan	6.48%	$16,749,000,000.00
Sulu Tunnels and Friendship Tunnel	5.65%	$14,598,571,428.00
National Battery Banks	1.93%	$5,000,000,000.00
Foreign Exchange Reserve Deposit	0.28%	$728,036,294.67

Spending of foreign exchange reserves:

$1,660,000,000 to South Africa for purchase of gold
$14,500,000,000 for geothermal plant renovations
$2,500,000,000 for National Battery Banks program

New foreign exchange reserves: $51,969,965,061

Maximum Gold reserves: 2017.1 tons
Maximum M0 : 4,027,834,818,000 PHP

These two values exist in an undefined equilibrium due to the gold standard. Some portion of the printed PHP is temporarily out of circulation after being exchanged for gold, and likewise some portion of the gold reserves is currently circulating in the economy. With growing forex reserves and no balance of payments crisis in the foreseeable future, it is unimportant to establish the exact figures.
The new Orongan administration found itself with a major headache in the form of trying to balance a budget while maintaining funding for several large projects. Unfortunately, as the President was more or less thrust into her position by the NPC party, she cannot afford to criticize their spending policies without alienating her political supporters yet.
With the prospects of slowing growth and declining government revenue in the years to come, the Philippines will need to find additional sources of funding if it is to continue its infrastructure megaprojects on schedule while simultaneously remaining debt free and accumulating large amounts of gold.
In a short speech to supporters, President Orongan justified the deep withdrawals from the forex reserves:

"The National Battery Bank network is more than just another piece of infrastructure, and should be viewed as a store of value. Over time we anticipate that an energy-based currency will arise due to the universal applications of electricity, and the Philippines will be at the forefront of developing modular technologies for storage and trade of this commodity."

Growth rate modifiers are decaying by 0.05 per year. 5.0% base growth as a developing nation + 0.05% from huge contracts to build MNET-ENet-CNet across most of Latin America + 0.35% long term growth in construction sector from Sulu Tunnels and Friendship Tunnel projects + 0.05% income from carbon offset program + 0.15% from Third Energy Transition Plan
Also, population growth decay turned out to be way too fast, so I reversed it a bit.