Relay satellite launched

China launched a relay satellite on Monday to set up a communication link between Earth and the planned Chang’e-4 lunar probe that will explore the Moon’s mysterious far side.

The satellite was carried by a Long March-4C rocket that blasted off at 5:28 a.m. from Southwest China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The satellite was named Queqiao, or Magpie Bridge.

Merkel to visit SZ

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a visit to Shenzhen during a visit to China on Thursday and Friday.

Merkel was invited by Premier Li Keqiang. It will be her first trip to China after re-election and the 11th as the German chancellor. Merkel said in a podcast published on Saturday that Germany wants to strengthen multilateralism* with China and she is looking forward to the visit. The German chancellor said she was very interested in visiting Shenzhen, where China’s opening up began and where there are many German firms.

Night service

Several Didi Hitch functions, including allowing drivers to comment on passengers and tag them according to their features, will be removed, according to phase one of the safety enhancement plans released by Didi Chuxing on May 9. Also, profile photos of passengers and car owners will only be accessible by the users.

The hitch service will be suspended between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night, and driver facial recognition will be made compulsory for every trip to minimize the risk of unapproved account use, according to the safety overhaul plan which was based on an internal review and feedback from public discussions.

Number of new cars

Hainan Province is adopting a car purchase restriction policy starting on May 9 to restrict the increase of cars and promote the use of new energy vehicles, provincial government authorities said.

New car license plates for fuel vehicles will be issued by lottery or auction, and they will be issued for new energy vehicles by signing up starting August 1, according to the announcement issued by the provincial government of Hainan. (SD-Agencies)