【听 · 焦点】2017年打掉58名“老虎”

Xi calls for fundamental improvement of CPC political ecosystem 

President Xi Jinping has called for more efforts against corruption and undesirable work style during a speech to the top disciplinary watchdog of the Communist Party of China.

The general secretary of the CPC Central Committee urged efforts to enhance the Party's political building, strengthen its theory, and consolidate its organizations.

He also called for the party to improve its conduct, enforce its discipline, and promote institution building.

He also asked CPC officials to remain loyal to the Party. 

China disciplines 58 senior officials in 2017 

China's top graft buster has said 58 officials at the provincial and ministerial level or higher were punished for discipline violations last year.

Across the country, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC punished over 520-thousand people, ranging from warnings and demotion to expulsion from the Party and removal from office.

At the same time, around 48-thousand officials were investigated or prosecuted for serious violations of discipline and suspected criminal activity. 

China supports DPRK, S.Korea in promoting inter-Korean dialogue, exchanges -- Xi 

The Chinese President has reiterated China's support for the improvement of inter-Korean relations.

During a phone conversation with his South Korean counterpart, Xi Jinping said he also expected the Winter Olympics next month in South Korea to not only help improve inter-Korean ties, but also the situation on the peninsula.

Moon Jae-in said his country attaches great importance to China's role in solving the dilemma on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions on the peninsula have shown signs of easing since North Korea's leader announced participation in the upcoming Olympiad.

So far, the two Koreas have held a high-level talks and reopened several hotlines between them.

On Thursday, Pyongyang called for a joint effort with Seoul to defuse military tension, remove the danger of war from the Peninsula, and achieve national unity and reunification. 

Chinese premier vows to build community of shared future with Cambodia 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to build a community of shared future with Cambodia.

During the meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh, Li Keqiang also vowed to offer assistance for Cambodia's economic development.

The two leaders also discussed ways to align the two countries' development strategies.

After the meeting, the two sides signed 19 cooperation documents related to areas such as politics, economy, trade, agriculture and culture.

Li Keqiang was in Phnom Penh for the second Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders' meeting and an official visit to Cambodia.

As part of his time there, he has also met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

The two countries have also issued a joint communique, calling for an early adoption of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. 

Chinese authorities investigate Marriott questionnaire incident 

The cyberspace administration of Shanghai has ordered Marriott International to shut down its Chinese website and Chinese app for a week.

This is part of the latest steps against the U.S.-based hotel company that was found to have listed Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as countries in a questionnaire.

The company has suspended the questionnaire and apologized twice on its Weibo account.

The authorities in Shanghai have also launched an investigation into the incident.

The administration also suggests it will take further steps.

According to China's cyber security and advertising laws, Marriott may face a maximum fine of 1 million yuan or have its business license revoked. 

China clarifies reports on possible slowing of U.S. debt purchases 

China's top forex regulator has responded to reports that the country is considering slowing or halting the purchase of U.S. Treasuries.

The statement from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange says the report might be based on a bad quote or just a single piece of information.

（这里有一句留给大家来填空，记得听完留言写下你的答案哦！）

A foreign media outlet reported Wednesday that China, the biggest buyer of U.S. sovereign bonds, is considering slowing down or even halting its purchases as U.S. debt is becoming less attractive.

Prices of U.S. Treasuries and the dollar fell, while gold rose shortly after the report. 

Ecuador grants citizenship to WikiLeaks founder Assange: FM 

The government of Ecuador has granted citizenship to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been living in its embassy in London since 2012.

The Ecuadorian foreign minister said officials had decided to permit Assange's naturalization while they look for ways to resolve his situation.

The former Australian has been staying in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since he was granted asylum in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over rape allegations which Assange denies. 

India confirms national security advisor-level talks held with Pakistan 

India has said it held advisor-level talks on national security with Pakistan, in Thailand last month.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry confirmed that its National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met his Pakistani counterpart Nasir Khan Janjua in Bangkok in December.

According to the ministry, their talks were on how to rid the region of the scourge of terrorism and how to ensure that terrorism doesn't affect the region.

India and Pakistan have fought at least three major wars over the disputed territory of Kashmir, which both countries claim in full.

Talks between the two countries have been stalled on a number of occasions.

（以上文稿仅供参考）

上期回顾：国家卫计委：加强流感疫情监测

上期答案： Putin's election fund had received more than 400 million rubles or about 7 million U.S. dollars as of January 5, the highest of all the candidates.

跟随英语环球，天天进步就从这每日一题开始吧！