Child abuse

Individuals and departments who fail to report child abuse promptly to the police may face punishment for dereliction or even be prosecuted for duty-related crimes, according to a newly released guideline, as a move to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fighting relevant crimes and helping juveniles.

The guideline, jointly issued by nine authorities, including the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security on Friday, stipulates that officials in government agencies and people working in schools, kindergartens, educational institutes, child welfare centers, hospitals and hotels bear the responsibility of timely reporting when discovering children are suffering harms or facing potential dangers.

Students in US

China on Friday urged the U.S. Government to stop using excuses to restrict and suppress Chinese students studying in the United States.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks as the U.S. administration reportedly plans to cancel the visas of thousands of Chinese students. Zhao told a press briefing that the U.S. leadership has said that the American people respect and love the Chinese people very much and that Chinese students are of great significance to the U.S. educational business.

Security laws

China is set to make Hong Kong national security laws as a related decision was adopted at the national legislature Thursday.

Deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) attending the closing meeting of its third annual session voted overwhelmingly to approve the NPC Decision on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Safeguard National Security. The move came after prolonged social unrest and escalating street violence had plunged Hong Kong into the gravest situation since its return to the motherland in 1997.

Mt. Qomolangma

An eight-member Chinese survey team reached the summit of Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, yesterday, and remeasured the height of the world’s highest peak.

The event marked a crucial step in China’s mission to survey the mountain, which scientists believe will enhance human knowledge of nature and help boost scientific development. (SD-Agencies)