BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Xinhua chronicle of the top 10 China news events in the year of 2018 is as follows:
1. CONSENSUS CEMENTED AT "TWO SESSIONS"
The 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, concluded annual meetings known as the "two sessions" in March, at which the country's new leadership arose.
At the NPC session, Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China. The session also adopted an amendment to the country's Constitution, the Supervision Law, and government reshuffling and reform plans of the State Council. The session also adopted a number of reports including the government work report.
2. CHINA DEALS WITH U.S. TRADE FRICTION WITH COMPOSURE
The U.S. government has waged trade wars against many countries in the world this year, with China in particular targeted. While firmly safeguarding free trade and multilateralism, as well as the core interests of the country and the interests of the Chinese people, the Chinese government has been promoting the resolution of differences through dialogue and consultation.
At a meeting on Dec. 1, President Xi and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed not to impose new additional tariffs. They instructed the economic teams of both sides to step up negotiations and get bilateral economic and trade relations back on track. In the past year, China effectively dealt with profound external changes, deepened supply-side structural reform, and maintained stable and healthy economic development and social stability.
3. HAINAN FTZ ESTABLISHED
While celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of China's southern island province of Hainan, also as a special economic zone, on April 13, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) decided to support Hainan in building a pilot free trade zone covering the whole island, and exploring the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. Later, the guidelines on supporting Hainan to deepen reform and opening-up were released.
In October, a plan for establishing Hainan as a pilot free trade zone was released, demonstrating that China, with a matrix of 12 free trade zones, was promoting greater opening-up.
4. GRAND CELEBRATION ON MARX'S 200TH BIRTHDAY
China held a grand gathering to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx on May 4, where Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee delivered a speech.
Xi said Marxism not only profoundly changed the world, but also profoundly changed China, leading the country to create an unprecedented miracle of history. On the road ahead, the CPC will continue upholding Marxism and creating the bright future for mankind envisioned by Marx and Friedrich Engels.
5. SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR ILLEGAL VACCINE MAKER
In July, the illegal production of human rabies vaccine by Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Limited caused widespread attention. On July 23, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called for the immediate investigation and serious punishment of those found responsible.
The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee heard reports on the investigation and punishment for those responsible. Serious penalties were given to those accountable, while the vaccine-maker received penalties totaling 9.1 billion yuan (1.3 billion U.S. dollars). The company was also facing compulsory delisting from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
6. FIRST HARVEST FESTIVAL FOR FARMERS
The Chinese farmers' harvest festival, which will fall on the Autumnal Equinox, started this year. It is the first festival created by the state for the country's farmers, reflecting the fundamental role of work relating to farmers, agriculture and rural areas.
The "No. 1 central document" of 2018 charted the roadmap for rural vitalization. With its poverty relief battle entering critical stage in 2018, China had completed its annual target by lifting an estimated 10 million-plus people out of poverty in rural areas and reducing poverty-stricken counties by around 280.
7. FURTHER SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE ECONOMY
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over a symposium on private enterprises. In his speech, Xi said the private sector should only grow stronger instead of being weakened, and demanded solid implementation of measures on six areas to support private enterprises. Governments stepped up moves to reduce corporate burden such as taxes and fees, tackle financing difficulties, and create a level playing field for private enterprises.
8. SUCCESSFUL DIPLOMATIC EVENTS ON HOME TURF
During Nov. 5-10, the first China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai, drawing 172 countries, regions, international organizations and more than 3,600 companies. It was the first state-level import-themed expo and a pioneering move in international trade.
The year of 2018 also saw the successful holding of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September, the largest and the most high-profile diplomatic event ever held in China. Other significant events included the Boao Forum for Asia 2018 annual conference, Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit and meeting of top leaders of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Guided by President Xi's diplomatic thoughts, China's diplomacy delivered a new vision.
9. CHANG'E-4 AND OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
China launched the Chang'e-4 lunar probe on Dec. 8, which is expected to make the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon.
The year saw a sequence of other achievements in technological innovation, including the first water takeoff of China's domestic AG600 amphibious aircraft, sea trials of China's second aircraft carrier, the birth of the world's first cloned monkeys, the creation of the first single-chromosome yeast, the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the establishment of the primary system of BeiDou-3 which started to provide global services.
Such achievements demonstrate Chinese scientists' dedication to innovation and continued technological progress.
10. GRAND GATHERING MARKING 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF REFORM, OPENING-UP
China held a grand gathering at the Great Hall of the People on Dec. 18 to mark the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up drive. President Xi delivered a speech, reviewing the history, achievements and experience of the policy, encouraging all CPC members and the whole country to advance reform and opening-up in the new era.
At the gathering, 100 Chinese were awarded reform pioneer medals, and 10 foreigners were honored with China reform friendship medals.
In 2018, reforms on the CPC and state institutions have been advanced, the plan for developing the Xiongan New Area in Hebei Province has been released, the market access has been significantly eased and the business environment constantly improved. All such measures have effectively unleashed momentum for the new round of reform and opening-up.
