China's non-manufacturing activity has maintain growth for the 20th consecutive month in August with the purchasing managers' index (PMI) inching up to 50.3, official data showed Saturday.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.
The business activity index for the non-manufacturing sector came in at 50.3 in August, up from 50.2 in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The service sector sub-index stood at 50.2 in August, up from 50 in July. The growth is attributable to a surge in travel and consumer spending during the summer holidays.
"A breakdown of the data showed railway transport, air transport, postal services, telecommunications, radio, television and satellite transmission services, culture, sports and entertainment sectors all posted an index of above 55 , representing fast-growing businesses," said Huo Lihui, head of the business climate survey division of NBS' Service Industry Survey Center.
The construction sector maintained expansion in August with an index of 50.6, lifted by booming activities in infrastructure and the building decoration market. The business expectation index for the construction industry climbed to 54.7 from 52.9 the previous month, showing strengthened confidence of construction companies.
China's non-manufacturing activity maintains growth in August
China's non-manufacturing activity maintains growth in August
Peace talks on the settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict require equality, autonomous negotiators and trust, said Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin on Friday, on the sidelines of the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which was held from Thursday to Saturday.
Khrenin talked about the military relations between Belarus and China, and the Ukraine issue.
Before attending the second plenary session of the forum, Khrenin said he hoped to expound Belarus' views and positions on the international situation in an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV).
"I hope to expound our views and position on the increasingly complex situation, globally on the whole or just about Belarus. I want to expound our views on how the international community develops and how all parties seek common ground," he said.
Noting that China and Belarus have strengthened military cooperation since they established diplomatic ties 32 years ago, Khrenin said he was deeply impressed with the "Eagle Assault 2024" joint exercise between the two countries in July this year.
"I noticed some details in the exercise, and what's the most important is that the Chinese and Belarusian servicemen in one group and one operation didn't need any translator but could understand each other. It shows that our armies share tacit understanding, which is very important," he said.
Khrenin also recalled the moment that the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army participated in the parade marking the 80th anniversary of Belarus' liberation from Nazi invaders.
"I thank Chinese leaders for dispatching troops to Belarus on the occasion of such an important festival. The Belarusian people warmly welcomed them just like greeting their family members," he said.
Khrenin also explained why Belarus has decided to establish a system against unmanned aerial vehicles.
"The Ukraine crisis has shown how modes of operation and forms of war are changing, so we are in full swing to work in this direction because we know such weapons may target us too," he said.
With the Ukraine crisis entering its third year, Khrenin put forward three conditions for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through peace talks.
"It is a pity that we haven't seen any sign of the easing of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but we can see that it is not Ukraine's independent decision. Of course, the main beneficiary in the conflict is the West, especially the United States who does not want to lose its hegemony. However, they don't understand that the current world has become multipolar, so it is always possible to resolve conflict through peace talks. Meanwhile, rigid conditions are needed to conduct such negotiations today. One of the important conditions is equality, the second is the autonomy of negotiators, which Ukraine doesn't have yet, and the third is trust," he said.
Initiated in 2006, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum is a high-level security and defense forum in the Asia-Pacific region with significant international influence.
Peace talks on Russia-Ukraine conflict need equality, autonomous negotiators, trust: Belarusian defense minister
