Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

Chinese scientists produce genetically-enhanced human vascular cells

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists produced the world's first genetically-engineered human blood vessel cells, providing a promising option for therapeutic use.

The study published on Thursday in the journal Cell Stem Cell showed that human vascular cell function can be enhanced by editing a single longevity-related gene.

China urges U.S. to stop damaging China's interests

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday urged the United States to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and damaging China's interests, and to do more things that are conducive to mutual trust and cooperation.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a press conference when responding to reports about U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's accusation against China at Global Chiefs of Mission Conference on Jan. 16.

China to boost consumption to shore up economy

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Friday pledged an array of measures to boost consumption as part of the efforts to support the economy.

"Optimizing market supply and increasing consumption are playing a greater role in effectively coping with downward pressure on the economy and maintaining stable growth," said a statement released after a teleconference held by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, and the State Administration for Market Regulation.

Japan faces new risks as population shrinks: Bank of Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Japan faces unforeseen risks in guiding economic policy as its population of about 126 million ages and declines, the governor of its central bank said Thursday.

Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda told fellow financial leaders Thursday that policies must be devised to prevent the shrinking population from hindering economic growth.

China hits back at criticism of its detention of Canadians

BEIJING (AP) — China minced no words on Thursday as it rejected an accusation by Canada’s foreign minister that its detentions of Canadians pose a threat to all countries.

“I think your foreign minister may be in a hurry, and can’t help speaking without thinking,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in response to a question from a Canadian journalist. “What threat has China posed to Canada?”

China says economy czar to visit Washington for trade talks

BEIJING (AP) — The top U.S. and Chinese trade envoys will hold talks in Washington this month in a possible sign of progress toward ending a costly tariff battle over Beijing’s technology ambitions.

The Ministry of Commerce announcement of the Jan. 30-31 event was the first sign of a next step by the two sides following negotiations in Beijing earlier this month between lower-level officials.

China’s economy czar, Vice Premier Liu He, was invited by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the ministry said.

Japan's Hitachi freezes British nuclear project

17 Jan 2019; AFP: Hitachi said Thursday it would freeze construction of its stalled nuclear power station in Wales due to problems financing the project, a blow to Britain's nuclear strategy and a costly decision for the Japanese firm.

The company said in a statement the decision was made "from the viewpoint of Hitachi's economic rationality as a private enterprise".

Shelving the project at the Wylfa Newydd plant on Anglesey, a small island off the Welsh coast, will cost the Japanese firm 300 billion yen ($2.8 billion), it said.

China slams Huawei 'hysteria'

17 Jan 2019; DW: Beijing has condemned US legislation that would stop businesses from selling American-made chips to Huawei and ZTE. US lawmakers described Huawei as an "intelligence-gathering arms of the Chinese Communist Party."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday described US legislation targeting technology giant Huawei and other Chinese telecommunications companies as "hysteria."

Chinese Academy of Sciences awards 3 foreign scientists

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Three foreign scientists from Singapore, Norway and Japan respectively were awarded medals of honor by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing Thursday, for their contribution to facilitating international cooperation in science and technology.

CAS President Bai Chunli conferred the Academy's Award for International Scientific Cooperation on Singaporean physics expert Shih Choon Fong, Norwegian biologist Nils Christian Stenseth and Japanese meteorologist Toshio Koike.

China to keep economic growth within reasonable range: Premier Li

BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to innovate and improve its macro-control policies to offset external uncertainties and strive to keep economic growth within a reasonable range, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remarks when presiding over a symposium held Tuesday, where he heard views and recommendations made by scholars and entrepreneurs on a draft version of the government work report.

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