【热点】Beijing issues blue alert for smog

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China resolutely opposes deployment of a U.S. anti-missile defense system in South Korea: officials

The Chinese government has issued its response to the comments made this week by the new US Secretary of Defense.

James Mattis has gone on-record saying the THAAD anti-missile system will be installed in South Korea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang says the Chinese position on the issue will not alter.

"We are resolutely opposed to the United States and South Korea deploying the THAAD anti-missile system. This position will never change. This position is very clear. We believe this move by the United States and South Korea will harm the strategic security interests of countries in the region including China and will harm strategic balance in this region. We do not believe this move will be conductive to resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue or to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula."

The new Pentagon chief held talks in Seoul Friday with his South Korean counterpart, saying plans will continue to have the anti-missile system put into operation before the end of the year.

China and Russia both oppose the move, as the anti-missile system's radar can penetrate both country's territory.

Chinese authorities have also warned of the instability the move will create on the Korean Peninsula.

Central authorities vow to address wage arrears, food safety

China's central authorities are issuing a pledge to deal with back-wages for migrant workers.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has made the promise at a meeting of the State Council.

Authorities are promising inspection tours, while at the same time, promising that local officials will be held accountable for not cracking down on companies which don't pay their employees.

Meanwhile, the State Council has also moved to try to address food and drug safety issues.

Chinese officials are calling for improved national standards for medicine, medical equipment and cosmetics.

Foreign Ministry spokesman speaks on China-US relations

The Chinese government has offered up a response to the US government's new immigration stance.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

"Basically in principal we believe that it's the sovereign rights of each government to design or adjust its immigration policies and policies on the passport control. But of course when designing or adjusting those policies, it's also desirable to bear in mind the legitimate concerns of all the other relevant countries."

At the same time, the Chinese governemt has also taken time to thank the Trump family itself for its well-wishes for the Lunar New Year holiday.

"We are very happy that Mrs. Ivanka Trump and also many other friends from the United States they were in the Chinese embassy and joined the Chinese people, joined our people in the embassy and joined the representatives of the overseas Chinese people in the United States to celebrate."

Footage of Ivanka Trump's daugther has been posted on the Internet, with the young girl singing a Chinese song.

Arabella has reportedly been learning Mandarin since she was 18 months old.

Beijing issues blue alert for smog

Municipal authorities in Beijing have issued a "blue" alert for heavy air pollution, with a new round of smog engulfing the city.

Forecasters are predicting the smog will linger until later on this Saturday, with a frontal system due to roll in later on this evening.

Blue is the lowest on the 4-tier color-coded warning system.

The AQI in Beijing could still range between 200 and 300 through this Saturday.

French president on Paris shooting

French President Francois Hollande has taken time to laud the "courage, the determination" of the soldiers who shot a man allegedly attempting to launch an attack inside the Louvre.

"I wanted to praise the courage, the determination, the reaction of these soldiers. And at the same time, underline the efficiency of the 'Operation Sentinelle' which protects our nationals in all public areas and it was the case at the Louvre."

A French soldier shot and wounded a man armed with a machete and carrying two bags on his back as he tried to enter the world-renowned museum.

French authorities suspect the man was attempting to carry out a terrorist attack.

Reports say the suspect, who remains in serious condition in hospital, shouted "Allahu akbar" moments before he was shot.

EU Malta summit adopts plan to stem migration

European leaders have punched-out a new agreement to try to stem the flow of migrants through the central Mediterranean.

The deal has been finalised as part of a summit in Malta.

EU leaders have agreed on a package of measures that will help the European Union better-manage immigration flows out of northern Africa.

Under the agreement, priorities will be given to training and support for the Libyan Coast Guard.

200 million euros are being set-aside to deal with migration-related projects connected to Libya.

Since the ouster of former Libyan leader Mummar Gaddafi, Libya has become a major transit point for people hoping to migrate to Europe.

Italy's island of Lampedusa, to the west of Malta, is only around 120-kilometers off the northern African coast.

Hundreds die every year attempting to make the crossing.

Trump issues directive targeting bank regulations

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a review of banking regulations introduced after the 2008 financial crisis.

"Today, we are assigning core principles for regulating the United States financial system. It doesn't get much bigger than that, right?"

Trump pledged during his campaign to replace Dodd-Frank.

This is legislation which was passed under the Obama administration to increase capital requirements for banks, and also limited their ability to invest their clients' money.

Under the new exective order, a 180-day delay has also been put into effect on the "fiduciary rule" for brokers offering retirement advice.

This rule requires brokers to act as "fiduciaries," or in their clients' best interests, when advising them about retirement plans.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other trade groups are hoping to have the "fiduciary rule" recinded.

However, the courts are now hearing cases both for and against it.

Queen Elizabeth II to mark Sapphire Jubilee

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is set to mark her "Sapphire Jubilee" on Monday, marking 65 years since her accession to the throne.

Here's CRI's Victor Ning, with a brief look back on the royal career of Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

February 6, 1952 was a day of sorrow for the young queen, as she acceded the throne, following the death of her beloved father, King George VI.

She was crowned a year later on June 2, 1953.

"At my coronation, I shall dedicate myself and you to your service. But I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me on that day, to pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making. And that I may faithfully serve him and you all the days of my life."

For over sixty years she has received flowers from well-wishers, shaken hands with officials, unveiled plaques, met Presidents and been a symbol of the British nation.

She is Head of State of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms.

Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926 in London and became Queen at the age of 25.

In 1947, she married Phillip Mountbatten and went on to have four children: Prince Charles; Princess Anne; Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

She has eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

As Britain's head of state, the Queen has made frequent state visits across the world and royal visits throughout the Commonwealth.

"Australia's enthusiastic welcome for Queen Elizabeth continues on the same scale as her tour of the 'Down Under' continent goes into its fifth week. The royal couple visits Melbourne and as everywhere else the town goes wild. The legendary Aussie enthusiasm surpasses itself, it's an historic occasion. The first time a reigning British sovereign has visited Australia and the public acclaim of the Queen is on a scale unparalleled in the nation's history."

The British public celebrated the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, which was marked with a national holiday.

In 1997, an event happened which shook the world and the royal family: Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris.

During much public debate and speculation about what took place that night and the Queen's perceived failure to respond in public to the death, the royal family's popularity waned.

But an address to the nation, in which the Queen spoke of her admiration for Diana, managed to quell public hostility.

"First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her, for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys."

The Queen marked her Golden Jubilee in 2002 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

This past Christmas, a reported heavy cold prevented the Queen, a regular church goer, from attending a church service on Christmas Day.

She also did not attend church on New Year's Day as she continued to recover.

The Queen has generally been in good health in recent years, although she has cut down on travel and public appearances.

For CRI, I'm Victor Ning.