July 20: President Xi Jinping optimistic about economic outlook; RoboCup convened to promote robotic science
President Xi Jinping said China's economy still enjoys a promising outlook despite downward growth pressure.
Politics and policy
President Xi Jinping said China's economy still enjoys a promising outlook despite downward growth pressure. During an inspection tour to Jilin province, he also urged the northeastern regions to speed up the innovation and service industry to revive the former major heavy industry hub which has recently experienced economic recession and population decline. (Xinhua)
State-run media Xinhua defended the government’s treatment of a revered Tibetan monk, 65, who was 13 years into a life sentence for terrorism and separatism when he died in prison last week, after human rights groups and his family slammed the handling of his death, the circumstances of which they said were unclear, and that he was cremated against their wishes. (AFP)
Defence
Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of the Communist Party's Central Military Commission, paid a visit to the 16th army group in northeastern China, calling for strict management and training of the Chinese army to adapt to new situations and tasks. The visit came just days ahead of the Army Day on August 1 which marks the founding of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). (Xinhua)
Economy and business
China Railway Construction has issued 9.94 billion yuan (US$1.60 billion) worth of new A shares, at 8 yuan per share, to third party investors to raise capital to fund projects and replenish working capital. (Reuters)
Chinese energy firms China Southern Power Grid and China Power International Development have joined force to build a US$1.75 billion coal-fired power plant in southern Vietnam, state coal mining group Vinacomin said. (Reuters)
Over 2,000 robotics professionals and fans from 47 countries and regions around the world gathered in Anhui province for the 19th RoboCup. The five-day annual contest features robot soccer matches and contests for robotic programmes in rescue and home services to promote the robotic science and technology. (China Daily)
Society
Police have arrested a Uyger man who reportedly received military training from ISIS in Syria and returned to China to "plan explosions" at a shopping mall in Shijianzhuang, Hebei province. (CCTV)
Chinese travellers have flocked to popular tourist spot Jeju Island in South Korea to take the local driving test as the test there is cheaper, easier to pass, and the licenses obtained there can be easily converted back to Chinese driver licenses. (Xinhua)
