【听 · 焦点】习近平向俄罗斯当选总统普京致贺电

Xi congratulates Putin on election as Russian president

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin.

In the message, Xi Jinping says that over recent years, the Russian people have united as one to strengthen the nation, achieving major success in economic and social development, and playing an important constructive role in international affairs.

He also says bilateral partnership sets an example for building a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, cooperation and all-win results, and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Li Keqiang endorsed as Chinese premier

Li Keqiang has been endorsed as Chinese premier at the ongoing first session of the 13th National People's Congress, the country's national legislature.

Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies voted to approve the premiership nomination of Li Keqiang, by newly-elected President Xi Jinping.

Li was officially appointed premier after President Xi signed a presidential decree.

Li then took an oath of allegiance to the country's fundamental law.

China lodges representations with U.S. over Taiwan Travel Act

Mainland authorities have lodged diplomatic complaints with the United States over a bill that encourages visits between Washington and Taipei.

The Taiwan Travel Act, which is not legally binding, was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry says the act sends out very wrong signals to separatist forces in Taiwan.

It urges that US side to handle Taiwan-related cases properly and cautiously.

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China to develop micro rockets, aiming at huge market

China is planning to develop micro solid-propellant carrier rockets for commercial use to meet the growing need for micro-nano satellites.

This kind of rocket has a carrying capacity of 100 to 500 kilograms.

The micro-solid rockets are more flexible and cost-efficient.

It's estimated that the global demand for commercial satellite launches will exceed 10,000, and domestic demand will reach 1,000.

Many Chinese tech giants also have satellite launch plans.

China-Europe freight train service extended southwards to Vietnam

The China-Europe freight train service has started to extend to southeast Asia.

A returned train stopped in Chongqing on Friday to load cargo including mechanical equipment and industrial materials before heading to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

The train is expected to carry Vietnamese produce, including tropical fruit, rice, coffee and aquatics.

The first China-Europe line was launched in 2011 between Chongqing and Duisburg in Germany.

Since then, more than 50 train routes have been opened for the China-Europe freight service.

Officials say the train service will reach more southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Laos and Singapore in the future.

British MPs call for extension to Article 50 period

A committee of British MPs called on Sunday for an extension to the Article 50 period which decrees that Britain leaves the European Union next March.

In a warning, Hilary Benn, chair of the House of Commons' Exiting the European Committee, said that a "no deal" scenario is a significant danger to Britain.

British Prime Minister Theresa May triggered a two-year countdown for leaving the EU when she handed Britain's withdrawal notice to Brussels last March.

The committee said in a report published Sunday that is difficult to see how a Brexit deal covering everything can be negotiated in the time that remains.

It said the British government should consider whether a limited extension to the Article 50 period is needed.

25,000 people left eastern Ghouta in last week: U.N.

The United Nations resident coordinator in Syria, Ali al-Za'tari, says he estimates around 25,000 people have left eastern Ghouta in the past week.

Civilians have been making their way out towards army positions on foot, hauling their belongings with them. They are then transferred to one of three reception centers.

The U.N. is hoping another aid convoy of 25 to 30 trucks will enter Douma in the northern pocket in the next couple of days.

Russian news agencies have said more than 73,000 people have left eastern Ghouta so far, 25,000 of which left on Sunday.

Khartoum ready for further dialogue with Washington to remove Sudan from terror list

Khartoum is reportedly ready to resume talks with Washington to remove Sudan from the U.S. terror list.

Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs says his government is ready to start the second phase of dialogue with Washington to wipe Sudan off the list of states sponsoring terrorism.

In October, 2017, the U.S. decided to lift sanctions on Sudan in recognition of positive measures by the government of Sudan to stop hostilities in conflict regions, improve humanitarian conditions, and maintain cooperation with the U.S. on regional conflicts and terrorism.

Washington listed Sudan on states sponsoring terrorism in 1993.

The U.S. imposed tight economic embargo on Sudan on imports, exports and bank transfers in 1997.

（以上文稿仅供参考）

上期回顾： 美国因俄罗斯干涉大选发起制裁

上期答案：Hunan Science and Technology Press, which is the sole publisher of simplified Chinese versions of Hawking's works in China, says it has received orders of more than 1 million copies of his books since the announcement of his death.

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