China

BEIJING (AP) — China is cutting taxes on its fledgling software and integrated circuit industries to spur development in the face of U.S. export controls that threaten to handicap Chinese tech companies.

The Finance Ministry’s announcement Wednesday comes amid tension over Washington’s decision to restrict technology exports to Chinese telecom equipment giant Huawei and other companies.

Chinese makers of smartphones and other products rely on U.S. components but Beijing is spending heavily to develop its own suppliers.

Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday shrugged off US attempts to block his company's global ambitions, saying the United States underestimates the telecom giant's strength.

Ren spoke to Chinese media days after President Donald Trump issued orders aimed at thwarting Huawei's business in the United States, the latest salvo in a months-long effort to stop the company's charge to the top of the leaderboard in next-generation 5G technology.

"The current practice of US politicians underestimates our strength," Ren said, according to transcripts from state-run media.

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Washington's long-standing addiction to bullyism has become a grave threat to global stability and peace.

The United States has shown ultra enthusiasm in brandishing the tariff stick against its main trade partners, including the European Union(EU), Japan, Canada, Mexico and China.

The intention of such actions is plain and simple: it is determined to crush anyone it sees a threat to its global dominance. And that is exactly what it has been doing since it became a superpower in the aftermath of World War II.

BEIJING (AP) — Google is assuring users of Huawei smartphones the American company’s basic services will work on them following U.S. government restrictions on doing business with the Chinese tech giant.

Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said Monday it is complying with and “reviewing the implications” of the requirement for export licenses for technology sales to Huawei Technologies Ltd.

Last week’s order follows U.S. government accusations that Huawei, the biggest maker of network gear for phone companies and the No. 2 global smartphone brand, is a security risk.

SHANGHAI, May 18 (Xinhua): China's world No. 1 ranked shot putter Gong Lijiao conceded her first defeat in more than 14 months as she finished second at the 2019 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai meet here on Saturday.

The 30-year-old, a two-time winner of the Diamond Prize, opened the competition with a 18.99 meters first round effort to take the leading position. But Chase Ealey of the United States achieved 19.58m in the second round to stun the jubilant local crowds.

LANZHOU, May 18 (Xinhua): "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids," as an Elton John hit goes.

However, a Mars simulation base in the middle of China's Gobi desert might be the perfect place to introduce young, budding astronauts to what life would be like on the red planet.

Surrounded by barren hills and red soil in northwest China's Gansu Province, "Mars Base One" allows visitors to explore a variety of space facilities and the rocky, martian-like landscape.

CHENGDU, May 17 (Xinhua): Having trouble discerning one furry panda from another? A facial recognition app will make it easy for you.

The app is developed by the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas along with researchers in Singapore Nanyang Technological university and Sichuan Normal University.

The image analysis research kicked off in 2017. A database now contains about 120,000 images and 10,000 video clips of giant pandas. Close to 10,000 panda pictures have been analyzed, marked and annotated.

BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua): Instead of sitting in classrooms, students in China are encouraged to take part in outdoor sports to prevent myopia and maintain health.

Students from Beijing Primary School were acclaimed Wednesday as an example of China's efforts to promote health education by showcasing their exercise routine, such as soccer and basketball, at the opening ceremony of a thematic health education activity, China Education Daily reported.

BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua): China hopes to work with the Iranian side to eliminate complicated disturbing factors and make efforts for the full implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

XICHANG, May 17 (Xinhua): China sent a new satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province at 11:48 p.m. Friday.

Launched on a Long March-3C carrier rocket, it is the fourth BDS-2 backup satellite and the 45th satellite of the BDS satellite family.

After being sent to the geostationary earth orbit and in-orbit tests, it will be connected to the BDS to provide users with more reliable services and enhance the stability of the constellation.