Hong Kong's 8th-term LegCo sworn in

Media reports say a blast has killed several dozen people and injured nearly 100 others in a Swiss ski resort town. The explosion reportedly occurred at a pub in Crans-Montana on Thursday.

Lawmakers of Hong Kong's eighth-term Legislative Council have begun a four-year term after taking an oath at a ceremony administered by Chief Executive John Lee.

The move aims to strengthen trade and tourism. It follows a significant surge in arrivals from China, which has become one of Turkiye's fastest-growing tourism markets.

Official data shows that the purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing sector stood at 50.1 in December, up 0.9 points from the previous month.

A spokesperson says the Chinese mainland will help Taiwan businesses and enterprises seize development opportunities created in implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he is ready to maintain close exchanges with Russian President Vladimir Putin for new progress in bilateral ties in the new era. President Putin expressed willingness to work closely with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral and international issues of common concern.

The added value of Chinese manufacturing accounted for nearly 28 percent of the world's total last year.

China has allocated 62.5 billion yuan, or over 8.8 billion U.S. dollars, in ultra-long special treasury bond funds in advance to support the trade-ins of consumer goods for 2026.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will pay a state visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday. China expects the visit will play an active role in further advancing the strategic partnership of the two countries.

General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Communist Party of China Central Committee has stressed integrated urban-rural development and ensuring the steady increase of farmers' incomes.