May Day holiday begins in China

A new assessment from the International Monetary Fund predicts that China’s economy will grow five percent this year, up from its previous projection of 4.5 percent(01:04). A report shows that human rights in the U.S. continued to deteriorate last year with problems such as gun violence, discrimination, and violations of the rights for women and children(09:30). South Africans head to the polls in a general election where the ruling ANC is projected to lose its parliamentary majority(18:05).

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is in China for a state visit and to attend the opening ceremony of a ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum along with several other heads of state(01:06). Israel says it is investigating a strike in Rafah that went wrong as it claims to have killed Hamas officials but also civilians(13:56). And Papua New Guinea is relocating residents from a landslide that officials say could have buried 2,000 people(23:28).

China, Japan and South Korea have agreed to step up cooperation and maintain close communication following a summit among the Chinese premier, Japanese prime minister and South Korean president(01:02). Authorities in Papua New Guinea say at least 2,000 people were buried in Friday’s landslide(15:22). And Israel has bombed Rafah after Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv(23:48).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed deepening reform with a focus on advancing Chinese modernization, and learned about efforts at opening up and ecological restoration during an inspection tour in the eastern province of Shandong(01:11). The People’s Liberation Army continues its drills around Taiwan and warns against separatist attempts(13:32). And a report on a helicopter crash in Iran that killed the president and foreign minister shows the helicopter remained on course before crashing(18:35).

Chinese military services including the army, navy, air force and rocket force are taking part in joint drills surrounding the island of Taiwan(01:02). Xizang is marking 73 years since the region’s peaceful liberation(09:18). And Colombia’s president has ordered the opening of an embassy in Ramallah, following announcements from three European countries of their plans to recognize Palestine as a state(22:45).

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated that the Taiwan question is at the center of China's core interests(01:06). Several European nations including Ireland and Spain have announced plans to formally recognize the Palestinian state(06:21). And China is marking the International Day for Biodiversity(14:53).

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has proposed efforts to deepen cooperation and pledged to work with SCO members for multipolarity and globalization(01:05). Officials on the Chinese mainland and scholars in Taiwan say the recent speech by the new Taiwan leader sends a dangerous signal(08:24). And both Israeli and Hamas leaders have denounced a request by the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants over alleged war crimes(18:46).

China has offered condolences over the deaths of Iran’s president, foreign minister, and other officials in a helicopter crash(01:01). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Kazakhstan to attend an SCO meeting after visiting Tajikistan(08:17). And the Chinese mainland says the new Taiwan leader’s speech sends a wrong signal regarding independence(19:23).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hosted his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the central government compound as the two leaders discussed topics including cooperation and peace(01:10). South Africa is urging the ICJ to order a halt of the Israeli offensive in Gaza(11:14). And Slovakia has charged a suspect in the shooting of the prime minister with attempted murder(20:46).

China and Russia have agreed to go further on their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era as the presidents of the two countries hold talks in Beijing (01:04). Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to survive after he was shot during an assassination attempt (14:57). And hundreds of athletes are in Shanghai for a last chance to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games (47:16).