Latest news with #Xi
HKFP
3 hours ago
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong public universities sign new accountability agreement requiring alignment with Xi's remarks
Eight public universities in Hong Kong have signed a new accountability agreement requiring them to follow the 'advice and guidance' of the central government and align with the remarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The eight signatories are the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, and the Education University of Hong Kong. The publicly funded institutions signed the University Accountability Agreement with the University Grants Committee (UGC) for the 2025-28 period last month, setting out overall strategic directions, funding allocation principles, and performance indicators. The signed agreements, uploaded to the UGC website on June 30, called on universities to seize opportunities to contribute to Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of mainland China, with an emphasis on 'invigorating China through science and education.' The phrase was first used by President Xi at the opening session of China's 20th Party Congress on October 16, 2022. According to the new agreement, universities 'should also strive to follow the advice and guidance of the Central Government on the future of Hong Kong, particularly in light of the 'four musts' and 'four proposals,' and observe President Xi Jinping's remark on creating strong impetus for Hong Kong's growth and nurturing young talents for Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.' Xi mentioned the 'four musts' and 'four proposals' in his speech when he visited Hong Kong in July 2022 to mark the city's 25th Handover anniversary and to swear in the new chief executive, John Lee. Local media reported on Monday that this was the first time the UGC agreement had explicitly required local universities to follow the guidance of the central government since they began signing the three-year contracts in 2019. The new agreement instructed universities to strengthen education on China's Constitution, Hong Kong's Basic Law, and the national security law. This, the agreement said, would help nurture future leaders with 'a strong sense of integrity, law-abidingness, civic responsibility, work ethics, and mutual respect.' The UGC may adjust funding in cases of 'serious circumstances,' such as a 'major deficiency' in university governance or the management of public funds, a 'significant failure' to fulfil obligations stated in the agreement, or a 'serious contravention' of funding conditions. Funding may also be adjusted in response to unsatisfactory enrolment and admission outcomes or violations of Hong Kong laws. In April last year, Hong Kong ranked in the bottom 10 to 20 per cent among 179 countries and regions in the Academic Freedom Index 2024 compiled by researchers from the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, in Germany, and V-Dem in Gothenburg, Sweden. The index assessed the city's freedom to research and teach, academic exchange and dissemination, institutional autonomy, campus integrity, as well as academic and cultural expression.
Mint
8 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Trump open to China visit if Xi invites; Beijing wants tariff truce extended, no US decision yet
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (July 29) clarified that he has no intention of pursuing a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but said he may visit China if formally invited. 'I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump and Xi last spoke by phone in June. Following the call, both leaders reportedly invited each other to visit. If Trump's visit materializes, it would mark their first face-to-face meeting since Trump's return to the presidency in January. Meanwhile, US-China trade negotiations concluded in Stockholm after two days of closed-door meetings. The third round of talks between the two economic giants is seen as a key step toward easing ongoing trade tensions. Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang said Beijing wants the existing tariff truce with Washington to continue. The current agreement has capped tariffs at 30% on Chinese goods entering the US. 'We believe the current arrangement has helped maintain stability in bilateral trade. China supports its extension,' Li said, without specifying a timeline. Trump had previously extended the truce by 90 days. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the pause in tariff hikes was 'under discussion,' but emphasised that no final decision had been made. Greer told reporters that he and Secretary Bessent will brief President Trump once they return to Washington, but ultimately, it's the president's call. Trump, speaking to journalists at the end of a trip to Scotland, said he was informed the Stockholm meeting had gone well.
The Hill
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Hill
US, China to continue talks on tariffs truce
Officials from Beijing and Washington on Tuesday agreed to continue talks on extending tariff rates under an established 90-day truce. China's top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, discussed the progress during a press conference in Sweden, where officials have held talks for the past two days. 'The Chinese and U.S. economic and trade teams will maintain active communication, exchange views on economic and trade issues in a timely manner, and continue to promote the stable and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations,' Li told reporters, according to Reuters. U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer provided a positive report from negotiations, noting that President Trump will ultimately have the final say over a further tariff truce extension. 'We'll report back to him the process we had here,' Greer told reporters, according to Reuters. 'We had constructive meetings for sure, to go back with the positive report. But the extension of the pause, he'll decide.' He added that the conversation was candid and in-depth on both sides, notes Bloomberg. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the current agreement could be extended out to 90 days. He told reporters Tuesday remaining issues were 'small' according to Bloomberg, noting President Trump would be briefed on concerns by Wednesday. Chinese leaders have said that they want a deal that is mutually beneficial while Trump has weighed the option of visiting Beijing to discuss a more permanent rate in person with President Xi Jinping. On Monday, Trump said he was not seeking a 'summit' with Jinping but would be open to discussion of talks if they were initiated from the other side. 'The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a 'Summit' with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything! I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended,' the president wrote in a Truth Social post. 'Otherwise, no interest! Thank you for your attention to this matter.'
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Trump breaks silence on reports he's seeking ‘Summit' with Chinese President Xi Jinping; ‘I may go to China, but…'
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he would visit China soon, but he has denied reports that he is looking to meet with Beijing counterpart Xi Jinping in the midst of heated trade talks between the two economic heavyweights. US President Donald Trump (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) walk together at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.(AFP) 'The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a 'Summit' with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything!' Trump said in a post on Truth Social from Scotland, where he concluded a five-day trip on Tuesday. 'I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest! Thank you for your attention to this matter.' According to a Reuters report this week, Trump and Xi's staff have discussed arranging a meeting between the two leaders, possibly during the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in South Korea, which is scheduled for October 30–November 1. It's unclear if there have been any conversations about Trump visiting China in person. Also Read: NYC shooter Shane Tamura mentioned top neuroscientists, 'frontline documentary' in his suicide note Trump boasts 'good relationship' with China Following a months-long stalemate that has temporarily lowered levies from up to 145% on Chinese exports to the US and 125% on American goods, the US and China have to finalize a full-fledged trade agreement until August 12. A third round of negotiations between Beijing and Washington is taking place in Stockholm this week. Speaking to reporters at his Turnberry resort on Scotland's west coast on Monday, Trump said that 'We have a good relationship with China,' adding that 'China's tough' In addition to trade disputes, US officials have frequently issued warnings about Chinese intrusions, like the Salt Typhoon operation that compromised US telecom networks. Taiwanese President's Central America visit canceled Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was scheduled to make a diplomatic trip to Central America later this year, but the Trump administration prevented him from making a stop in New York City, according to a report published by the Financial Times on Monday.
New York Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Trump confirms possible China trip, but insists ‘not seeking' Xi summit
President Trump has revealed that he may jet over to China in the near future, but rebuffed suggestions that he is seeking a summit with Beijing counterpart Xi Jinping amid intense trade negotiations between the two economic superpowers. 'The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a 'Summit' with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything!' Trump wrote on Truth Social late Monday from Scotland, where he wrapped up a five-day visit Tuesday. 'I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest! Thank you for your attention to this matter.' Staffers for Trump and Xi have held discussions about setting up a meeting between the two leaders, potentially on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in South Korea, which takes place Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Reuters reported last week. It is unclear whether any discussions of Trump traveling to China directly have been broached. 3 President Trump confirmed ongoing talks with China about him meeting with leader Xi Jinping. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images 3 President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping's last in-person meeting took place in 2019. XinhuaTrump and Xi last met face-to-face in June 2019 on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan. The US and China have until Aug. 12 to reach a full-fledged trade agreement following a months-long truce that has seen duties temporarily come down from up to 145% on Chinese exports to the US and 125% on American goods. Negotiators from Washington and Beijing are holding a third round of talks this week in Stockholm. 'We have a good relationship with China,' Trump told reporters Monday at his Turnberry club on the west coast of Scotland. 'China's tough.' In 2024, China was the third-largest US trading partner among individual nations — behind only Mexico and Canada — with trade between the two nations amounting to $582.4 billion. Further complicating negotiations is Trump's looming threat to impose secondary tariffs of 100% against countries that trade with Moscow until the Kremlin ends its invasion of Ukraine and agrees a peace deal. China and India, in particular, have continued to purchase energy from Russia throughout the 41-month-old war on Ukraine. China has also been accused of providing Moscow's arms industry with critical supplies. 3 The Trump administration is currently involved in trade negotiations with China. Getty Images Beyond trade tensions, US officials have repeatedly warned about Chinese cyber attacks, such as the Salt Typhoon operation that breached American telecommunications systems. On Monday, the Financial Times reported that the Trump administration blocked Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te from stopping in New York City during a planned diplomatic visit to Central America later this year. China has long claimed sovereignty over the island state of Taiwan, which has its own currency, military and government. The US adheres to the One China Policy on paper, which acknowledges Beijing's claim, but takes no position on it.
