China's position as an ideal, safe and promising destination for foreign investors remains unchanged: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping says the country's position as an ideal, safe and promising destination for foreign investors will remain unchanged.

He was speaking during a meeting with representatives from the international business community in Beijing.

President Xi extended his welcome and praised their long-term commitment to cooperation with China.

He also pledged that the country's doors will open wider.

“China is advancing high-standard opening up and taking solid steps to expand institutional opening up, such as that of rules, regulations, management and standards. China's doors will only open wider. The policy of welcoming foreign investment has not changed and will not change.”

President Xi said China provides the best testing ground for the latest technologies.

He said the country is speeding up green, digital and smart transformation, and that its industrial ecosystem is sophisticated.

The president also said foreign-funded enterprises are important participants in Chinese modernization, and play a vital role in maintaining global economic order and bear significant responsibilities.

The Chinese president called on foreign-funded firms to play their part in maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

7.7-magnitude earthquake hits Myanmar, killing at least 50

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has killed at least 50 people.

The quake also damaged buildings, including the walled fort of Mandalay Palace.

It also damaged or blocked roads linking Mandalay and Yangon.

Some cities in Yunnan Province along the China-Myanmar border also felt the shaking.

The province in southwest China has reported at least two injuries.

Authorities are handling the aftermath of the tremor.

People also felt the quake's impact nearly 1300 kilometers away in Bangkok.

People in the Thai capital poured onto the streets after the tremors, with many buildings evacuated.

A 30-story building under construction in the city collapsed, with reports saying at least three people have died.

The Thai prime minister has announced a state of emergency in the city.

Chinese FM to visit Russia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to Russia next week.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the visit runs from Monday to Wednesday.

White paper highlights human rights progress in Xizang

China has released a white paper, highlighting progress in human rights protection in Xizang.

The document says the country has developed the economy, improved living standards, promoted ethnic unity, and safeguarded the basic rights of all people in the southwestern region, also known as Tibet.

It also notes that the Communist Party of China maintains a people-centered approach and is committed to promoting Whole-process People's Democracy and ensuring human rights through development.

The old relationship we had with the U.S. is over: Canadian PM

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs on auto imports unjustified and a violation of existing trade agreements, warning that the era of close ties with Washington is over.

He said Canada will impose retaliatory trade actions of its own.

Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut suburb for first time since ceasefire

Israeli airstrikes have struck a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the first such attack since a ceasefire in November.

The Israel Defense Forces said the attack targeted a drone storage facility belonging to Hezbollah.

The Forces issued an evacuation alert before the airstrikes, advising Lebanese civilians to leave a 300-meter area around the site.

The Lebanese Education Ministry also ordered the closure of all public and private schools, secondary institutions, vocational centers and a university complex near the target area.

Fifteenth Beijing International Film Festival set for a grand opening

The 15th Beijing International Film Festival will open on April 18 with Switzerland as the guest of honor.

Filmmaker Jiang Wen, known for blockbusters like "Let the Bullets Fly," will serve as the jury president of the Tiantan Award, the annual event's top honor.

The competition has received nearly 1800 film submissions from over 100 countries.

The nine-day festival will introduce the Beijing Film Life Festival, aiming to integrate culture, commerce, tourism, and sports.