Tech board

Shares on Shanghai’s new Nasdaq-style technology board soared on Monday, kicking off a trail-blazing leg of the country’s innovation drive and capital market reform.

All 25 components on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Sci-Tech Innovation Board, or STAR Market, were driven sharply higher in a hearty initial endorsement of China’s plan to use the board to help fund fast-growing tech firms and discourage them from listing abroad.

Violent acts condemned

A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Sunday evening condemned the vicious behaviors of some radical demonstrators blockading the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The spokesperson said some radical demonstrators surrounded the liaison office on Sunday evening, threw black paintballs* to the national emblem on the gate of the office building, painted insulting words on the exterior wall and attempted to break into the building. Such behaviors have blatantly challenged the authority of the Central Government and touched the bottom line of the principle of “one country, two systems,” the spokesperson said.

Fortune Global 500 list

Fortune unveiled the 2019 Global 500 list on Monday, with Walmart taking the lead for the sixth consecutive year, followed by China Petrochemical Corp., Shell, China National Petroleum Corp. and State Grid Corp. of China.

The Fortune Global 500 is a ranking of companies by revenue that has been published annually since 1955 by American multinational business magazine Fortune, headquartered in New York. A total of 129 Chinese companies are among the Global 500 this year, surpassing the United States for the first time, who tally 121.

Immigration policy

China on July 17 announced 12 measures to make immigration and entry-exit applications easier and more convenient for certain foreigners.

From August 1, the country will ease the permanent residence application for more high-level foreign talents, including foreigners with doctoral degrees, and those who have made significant contributions to the country.(SD-Agencies)