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2 Oct, 2017

Israel covers up role in Myanmar crimes against Rohingya

Source: The Electronic Intifada

Israel is attempting to bury information about its arms sales to the military regime in Myanmar, which the UN accuses of a “brutal” campaign against the country’s Muslim Rohingya population, amounting to a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas have fled their homes as the military and Buddhist mobs burn their […]

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2 Oct, 2017

Thailand Media Panel Discussion Oct 3: Rakhine State – Southeast Asia’s ethnic flashpoint

Bangkok — The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand will be holding a panel discussion on the topics of “Rakhine State – Southeast Asia’s ethnic flashpoint” at 7pm, Tuesday 03 October, 2017. The event announcement says:  People around ASEAN and well beyond are watching with mounting concern as some 400,000 Rohingyas face potentially permanent displacement into […]

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1 Oct, 2017

Myanmar tells UN Security Council: It’s all “malicious and unsubstantiated chatter”

United Nations, 28 Sept 2017 – Amid an escalating crisis in northern Rakhine state in Myanmar, United Nations Secretary-General today urged its Government to end military operations, allow unfettered access to those in need, and ensure the safe and voluntary return of displaced Rohingya to their homes. “The situation has spiralled into the world’s fastest-developing […]

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1 Oct, 2017

UN Secretary-General warns: Rohingya crisis could spiral into wider, regional inter-communal strife

United Nations, Sept 28 — Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the open debate of the Security Council on Myanmar, in New York today: On 2 September, I wrote to this Council urging concerted efforts to prevent further escalation of the crisis in northern Rakhine State.  I am encouraged that the Council has discussed […]

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29 Sep, 2017

Israeli newspaper of courage calls on its military to stop arming criminals in Myanmar

Tel Aviv — Lawmakers from across the spectrum should come together to put an immediate stop to Israel’s weapons sales to Myanmar, where crimes against humanity are being committed, according to the lead editorial published on Sep 27 in Israel’s newspaper of courage, Ha’aretz. In its second editorial this month on the same subject, the […]

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29 Sep, 2017

Chile projects tourism to hit new record in 2017

SANTIAGO DE CHILE, Sept 28 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA)–The Chilean Tourism industry is on the verge of meeting its goals for 2017, with record figures after the arrival this year of more than 6.4 million tourists, official sources confirmed today. Minister of Economy and Tourism Jorge Rodriguez Grossi praised the promotional work by Chile in the current […]

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29 Sep, 2017

United Nations: Act Now to End and Remedy Crimes Against Humanity in Myanmar

NEW YORK and BANGKOK, September 28, 2017, Fortify Rights media release — The United Nations Security Council and U.N. member states should act urgently to impose an arms embargo on the Myanmar military and targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for atrocity crimes against Rohingya Muslims and others in Rakhine State, Fortify Rights said today. U.N. […]

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29 Sep, 2017

India: AirAsia, Zoomcar Partner for Rental Car Service

MUMBAI, India Sept 28 (NNN-PTI) — Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia yesterday said it has teamed up with self-drive car rental company Zoomcar to provide mobility solutions to its customers to and from airports. The facility will be available to all group airlines including AirAsia-India. The tie-up allows AirAsia guests to book Zoomcar for their local […]

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29 Sep, 2017

Malaysia Airports to Offer Alipay Service For Chinese Tourists

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Sept 28 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has partnered China’s Ant Financial Services Group to offer the Alipay service for Chinese tourists travelling in the country. Managing Director, Badlisham Ghazali, said Malaysia airports hoped to created awareness, boost interest and also strengthen its brand positioning among Chinese travellers through the […]

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29 Sep, 2017

Abu Dhabi Hotels See 13% Rise in Guests in Aug

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Sept 28 (NNN-WAM) – Abu Dhabi witnessed a dramatic double-digit increase, in the number of hotel guests in Aug, compared with the same period in 2016, helping to push up the total number of guests staying in the emirate, to more than 3.1 million, in the first eight months of […]

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29 Sep, 2017

Bahrain Airport Ad Contract Awarded to French-Based JCDecaux

MANAMA, Bahrain, Sept 28 (NNN-BNA) – Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, awarded the airport’s much coveted advertising contract to the Paris-based outdoor advertising agency JCDecaux. The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Engineer Kamal […]

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29 Sep, 2017

3 Million Reusable Bags Given to Malaysian Consumers in 2017 to slow the Plastic Tide

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) — It’s quite easy to picture a row of children proudly waving the Jalur Gemilang during our Merdeka celebrations, or hundreds of Malaysians singing Negaraku at the annual Independence Day parade.  Now, try to imagine five trillion plastic bags lining the ground of our beloved Mother Earth. You may be […]

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29 Sep, 2017

Malaysia Received 1.8 Million Thai Tourists Last Year

BANGKOK, Thailand, Sept 28, (NNN-Bernama) — About 1.8 million tourists from Thailand visited Malaysia last year, a growth of 32.5 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2015, according to the Tourism Malaysia Thailand. The trend of strong growth in tourist arrivals from Thailand is expected to continue this year, says its director, Abdul […]

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28 Sep, 2017

Thailand first to make UN SDGs a criteria for National Tourism Awards

Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand raised its bi-annual industry awards to a new level this year by including the principles of the national Sufficiency Economy and the global UN Sustainable Development Goals as core components of the judging criteria. It is arguably the first time any country has made the UN SDGs a […]

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21 Sep, 2017

US$4,000 prize money for first global essay competition linking Travel & Tourism to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Bangkok – Today, Sept 21 2017, Travel Impact Newswire marks the United Nations International Day of Peace by launching an essay competition on how Travel & Tourism can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Olive Tree Awards essay competition is claimed to be the first of its kind in the global Travel & […]

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20 Sep, 2017

10-Point Plan to Stop Tropical Forest Deforestation Launched

New York City, USA, 19 September 2017 – The World Economic Forum-hosted Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 is advocating a 10-point plan to remove deforestation from commodity supply chains by 2020. Aimed at company executives, policy-makers and civil society leaders, the Commodities and Forests Agenda 2020 plan lays out strategies to address one of the biggest […]

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20 Sep, 2017

Myanmar proves that women leaders are no better than the men

Bangkok – In February 2012, just a few months before the end of his five-year term, the then ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan spoke at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on the topic of “ASEAN and Change in Myanmar”. During the Q&A, I asked him if Myanmar had a chance to exercise the Last […]

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19 Sep, 2017

China-ASEAN collaboration brings tourism boom

Beijing, Xinhua, 2017-09-15 – Vincent Hou, a tour guide from Brunei, speaks Mandarin thanks to practicing with Chinese tourists. “I can speak Cantonese, Hakka, Malay, English and Mandarin, so it’s no wonder that I had an accent when speaking Mandarin. But my customers from the Chinese mainland, especially the elderly, often corrected me,” said Hou, […]

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19 Sep, 2017

Integration or disIntegration: Democracy and human rights at risk as ASEAN turns 50, parliamentarians warn

MANILA, 19 September 2017, APHR media release — As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrates its 50th year of existence, the region faces a human rights crisis and the future of democracy is at risk, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said today. Speaking at a press conference in Manila, lawmakers from Malaysia […]

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19 Sep, 2017

Maritime link between Songkhla – Penang in the pipeline

BANGKOK, Thailand Sept 15 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia’s proposal for a better connectivity between Songkla Port in southern Thailand and Penang Port has received a thumbs-up from Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. The premier said both countries would intensify discussions on the matter as it could be of mutual benefit. “We share the border, so, […]

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19 Sep, 2017

World Bank: Enabling tourism could help lift Palestinian economic growth to 7%

JERUSALEM, September 12, 2017 (World Bank press release) – The World Bank released a report today that calls for a new vision for the Palestinian economy that can lift growth to an average of 7 percent per year. While recognizing the critical importance of a political settlement, the report argues that measures over the medium […]

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19 Sep, 2017

Bangkok summit to mull escalating HIV/AIDS epidemic, fuelled by Gay X

BANGKOK, September 18, 2017 (APCOM media release): Some of the Asia Pacific region’s leading health, rights and community advocates have lent their support to a special summit in Bangkok in November aimed at revitalizing the region’s response to the HIV epidemic and its impact on vulnerable communities. The RRRAP Summit – which stands for Rights, […]

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16 Sep, 2017

Many Businesses Still Fail to Report Financial Value from Strong Environmental Performance – Research

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE) — September 13, 2017 – Four in 10 telecommunications and consumer goods companies reporting to CDP fail to capture or report any financial value from strong environmental performance, according to new research released today by Accenture (NYSE: ACN), CDP and Hermes Investment Management. The largest emitters in the global economy – responsible […]

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15 Sep, 2017

Permanent People’s Tribunal on Myanmar to be held in Kuala Lumpur 18-22 Sept

Kuala Lumpur, 15 Sept (International Movement for a Just World) – The Permanent Peoples Tribunal’s concluding session on Myanmar which will convene at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur from the 18th to the 22nd of September 2017 has assumed extraordinary significance in light of the UN Security Council’s unanimous call […]

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13 Sep, 2017

Lecture: “In Search of a Prophet” – Kahlil Gibran: An Unparalleled Guide for Our Times

Washington DC — Paul-Gordon Chandler. Author, Interfaith Advocate, and Art Curator, will be delivering a special lecture on his newly-published book “In Search of a Prophet” which traces the life and work of the Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran. The lecture will be held on September 15, 2017, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm at the The […]

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13 Sep, 2017

Jewish Rabbi slags Israel for travel curbs on activists, Palestinians

A female Jewish rabbi has rebuked the Jewish state of Israel for barring inbound travel by pro-Palestinian activists, including herself, as well as for blocking travel in and out of occupied Palestine in general. In a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur message to global members of the pro-Palestinian group Jewish Voice for Peace, its Deputy […]

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11 Sep, 2017

Israel blamed for arming Myanmar amidst anti-Rohingya atrocities

CAIRO, Egypt, Sept 10 (NNN-MENA) – Human rights groups criticised Israel, for the continued sale of weaponry to the Myanmar junta, amid violence against Rohingya Muslims, local media reported, on Saturday. More than 100 tanks, as well as, boats and light weapons have been sold to the Myanmar government by Israeli arms companies, investigations by […]

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11 Sep, 2017

Indonesian MPs issue united call for immediate action to halt Myanmar atrocities in Rakhine State

JAKARTA, 11 September 2017 (ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights statement) — Indonesian lawmakers from multiple parties issued a joint call from the halls of Parliament today for an immediate end to atrocities in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, urging their own government to do more to help resolve the crisis, including by exercising regional leadership to get […]

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11 Sep, 2017

R.I.P. Inder Sharma – The Indian stalwart who brought China into PATA

Bangkok – Much has been written in praise of Mr Inder Sharma, the Indian travel & tourism stalwart who passed away on Sept 5 at the age of 86. The award-winning chairman of SITA World Travel was indeed one of India’s most eminent personalities – a thorough professional of impeccable integrity and formidable intellect, equally […]

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9 Sep, 2017

Asia-Pacific environmental crime fighters recognized for tackling illegal trade in chemicals, hazardous waste

Bangkok, 7 September 2017: (UNEP media release): Poor enforcement of environmental regulations is a major problem in the travel & tourism industry. Industry events looking for award-winning crime-fighters to address them as speakers on the challenge may find it useful to contact any of the eight winners of this year’s Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards. Enforcement […]

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9 Sep, 2017

Ridesharing helps injured workers meet medical appointments, improve transparency

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sept 7 — Digital devices and mobile applications are breathing new life into traditional workers’ compensation services—this was a key takeaway from the session, “Ridesharing Technology: Transforming Transportation in Workers’ Compensation,” presented at the 2017 California Workers’ Compensation & Risk Conference in Dana Point, California. “Until recently, the workers’ compensation industry relied […]

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9 Sep, 2017

Research study: Alcohol industry misleading the public about cancer risk

London, 8 September 2017 (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) – The alcohol industry (AI) is misrepresenting evidence about the alcohol-related risk of cancer with activities that have parallels with those of the tobacco industry, according to new research published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review. Led by the London School of Hygiene […]

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9 Sep, 2017

FREE Download: Amadeus report pinpoints why travelers click “Buy” at the Moment of Truth

MADRID–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 07, 2017 — A new report published today by Amadeus, ‘Embracing airline digital transformation: a spotlight on what travelers value’, sheds new light on what travelers value when shopping for a flight. Today retailers from a multitude of sectors have reinvented the customer experience. However, the challenge often lies in working out what […]

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9 Sep, 2017

Insurance claims clarified as hurricane season disrupts travel across the Caribbean and Southeast U.S.

STEVENS POINT, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 08, 2017 — Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, Hurricane Irma is on a path to wreak havoc on the Caribbean and Florida, already forcing cancelled flights and cancelled, shortened and rerouted cruise vacations. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP.com) offers travelers tips on the ins and outs […]

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4 Sep, 2017

Sponsorship support grows for landmark SDG publication, The Olive Tree

Bangkok — The September-October 2017 of The Olive Tree, the first and only publication designed to help travel & tourism become a more enthusiastic part of the solution in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, has just been published. Click here to download FREE. September is an important month for global travel & tourism. The […]

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1 Sep, 2017

World Bank Group to boost funding for peace-building and development in Mindanao

WASHINGTON, August 31, 2017 (World Bank media release) — The World Bank Group will scale up support for peace-building and development in Mindanao as part of the midterm adjustment of its country partnership strategy. This follows the completion of the Performance and Learning Review report (PLR) endorsed today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive […]

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31 Aug, 2017

Air Travel to Totality Cities Nearly Doubled for Aug 21 U.S. Solar Eclipse

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–August 30, 2017 – The August 21 solar eclipse proved to be a highlight of the 2017 summer travel season as air travel to U.S. cities located along the path of totality nearly doubled for the weekend prior to the eclipse compared to 2016*, according to analysis by the Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC). The […]

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29 Aug, 2017

Construction of Thailand-China high-speed railway to start in October

Bangkok, 20 August 2017, (Xinhua) — China and Thailand are working together to sign two contracts of the first phase of Thailand-China railway project in September to begin the construction work of the first section in October, Chinese Embassy in Bangkok said in a statement Saturday. According to the statement, the two countries concluded negotiations of […]

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29 Aug, 2017

Guizhou becomes 6th Chinese regional govt to ban alcohol at official events

22 August 2017, (China Daily) — Guizhou government has banned serving of all alcohol at official functions for civil servants effective from Sept 1. Rolling out the strictest regulation, the government said no alcohol, including those offered by individuals or organizations, will be served at official receptions and functions. It bans civil servants from using […]

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26 Aug, 2017

UN rights experts criticize US failure to unequivocally reject racist violent events

United Nations, (UN News Centre) 23 August 2017 – The United Nations body monitoring implementation of the global convention on prohibiting racial discrimination has called on high-level politicians and public officials of the United States to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech and crimes in Charlottesville and throughout the country. “We are […]

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24 Aug, 2017

China’s middle class face peer pressure to send kids on study tours abroad

Beijing, 10 August 2017, (Global Times) — China’s urban middle class are under growing peer pressure to send their kids on expensive study tours abroad which have become the latest fad. Recently, a post titled “A monthly salary of 30,000 yuan could not afford [my] child’s summer holiday” has been widely circulated on social networks […]

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24 Aug, 2017

Thai Foreign Ministry fam trip spotlights double-edged future facing the Kingdom

Bangkok – Courtesy of the Thai Foreign Ministry, 16 Bangkok-based foreign correspondents were treated to a whirlwind 15-hour fam trip on Aug 18 which spotlighted the double-edged future facing Thailand. While three of the stops underscored Thailand’s positive scientific, agricultural and infrastructure progress in line with its 4.0 national development policy, the last stop was […]

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21 Aug, 2017

Chinese Artificial Intelligence software beats doctors at diagnosing certain diseases

Beijing, (Xinhua) August 20, 2017 — After listening to the patient’s symptoms, “he” provides checklists for the patient and medical advice based on the results. Then the therapy will be verified by human doctors. A China-made AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based software made its debut Saturday at a seminar held in Hengyang City, central China’s Hunan Province. […]

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21 Aug, 2017

Chinese Commentary: US is not a human rights paradise, nor the world’s moral leader

By Shi Feiran (People’s Daily Online) Beijing, 17 Aug 2017 – The U.S. Department of State issued its report on International Religious Freedom for 2016, once again using human rights as a political tool to interfere in the internal affairs of China, tarnish its international image, and promote U.S. strategic interests. In response to the report, […]

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17 Aug, 2017

Next wave of U.S. white supremacist hate rallies planned on Sept 9

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/16/2017) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on officials in cities targeted by a nationwide series of hate rallies scheduled for September 9 to step up security measures to ensure public safety. [NOTE: Earlier today, CAIR’s Minnesota chapter called on the […]

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17 Aug, 2017

‘Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or Islamophobia are poisoning our societies’ – UN chief

United Nations, 16 August 2017, (UN News) – Urging people everywhere to speak out against hate speech and hate crimes, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today reiterated his call for tolerance, respect for the other and the importance of recognizing diversity. “Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or Islamophobia are, as I mentioned yesterday, poisoning our societies,” the […]

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17 Aug, 2017

What Charlottesville and the emergence of white supremacists means for the future of global travel

Bangkok – The emergence of the American white supremacist movement in the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, has opened up a Pandora’s Box of issues that will have a significant impact on travel & tourism to and from the United States and around the world. By further complicating an already unstable geopolitical environment, it will have […]

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13 Aug, 2017

AirAsia celebrates inaugural flight from Shenzhen to Langkawi

LANGKAWI, Aug 10 (Bernama) — Low-cost airline AirAsia today welcomed its inaugural flight from Shenzhen to Langkawi with 89 percent load factor. The flight AK 1713 was greeted by a water canon salute upon arrival into Langkawi International Airport and was also received by Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin, Chief Executive Officer, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). […]

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13 Aug, 2017

UNITE HERE files Federal labor charges against Anbang demanding hotel ownership disclosure

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–August 10, 2017 – UNITE HERE this week filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Anbang Insurance Group and three of its hotel operators for failing to comply with its request for information on the firm’s ownership and sources of financing. The charges come as China-based Anbang reportedly may be under pressure to sell […]

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12 Aug, 2017

30% of Palestinian population are millennials, aged 15-29

RAMALLAH, August 10, 2017 (WAFA) – Marking the International Youth Day and under the theme “Youth, Peace and Security”, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said Thursday that a third of the Palestinian society is young. Statistics show that the percentage of youth in the age group of 15 to 29 in Palestine comprises […]

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12 Aug, 2017

Cancer-stricken Palestinian woman dies after Israel delays permit to reach hospital

GAZA, August 10, 2017 (WAFA) – A 47-year-old woman with cancer died in Gaza on Tuesday Aug 8 while waiting for an Israeli army permit to get treatment in a hospital outside Gaza, al-Mezan human rights center said on Thursday. It said Itimad Fathi Rabi, from Shabora refugee camp in Rafah, was suffering from cancer […]

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9 Aug, 2017

ASEAN to deepen regional integration as it marks Golden Jubilee

MANILA, 8 August 2017, (ASEAN Secretariat News) – Today, ASEAN celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of its journey. To mark this golden jubilee, various commemorative activities are being carried out across the region. A tribute to the five Founding Fathers at a grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN is scheduled today in Manila, the Philippines – […]

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9 Aug, 2017

Full text: ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN

8 August 2017, (ASEAN Secretariat News) — The following is the full text of the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN. 1. The 50th Anniversary of ASEAN is a historic occasion that highlights our success in building an ASEAN Community that is rules-based, people-oriented, and people- centered. 2. As we celebrate this […]

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9 Aug, 2017

Malaysia hosts ASEAN 50th Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony and Related Commemorative Events

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 August 2017, (Bernama) — The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) commemorates its 50th founding anniversary today, 8 August 2017. This is a significant milestones year for the regional bloc. The extended community of ASEAN with the important pillars of political, economic and social shows the solidarity of its own community […]

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9 Aug, 2017

ASEAN MPs call for stronger protections for migrants and refugees

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 August 2017, (APHR News) –ASEAN lawmakers urged regional governments today to do more to protect migrant workers and refugees, arguing that all members of the ASEAN community are entitled to basic rights and deserve to have their dignity and humanity respected. Members of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) made the call […]

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9 Aug, 2017

ASEAN@50: New book shows how ASEAN tourism undermined the ASEAN Miracle

Bangkok – When ASEAN marked the 50th anniversary of its founding on 08 Aug 2017, let the record show that the travel & tourism industry of Thailand, where ASEAN was born, negotiated and signed, did nothing, absolutely nothing, to commemorate the event. Neither did the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, nor the Tourism Authority of […]

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5 Aug, 2017

Pew Research: Globally, more people see U.S. power and influence as a major threat

August 1, 2017 (Pew Research Centre) – Concerns about American power and influence have risen in countries around the world amid steep drops in U.S. favorability and confidence in the U.S. president. Across 30 nations surveyed by Pew Research Center both in 2013 and this spring, a median of 38% now say U.S. power and […]

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5 Aug, 2017

Indian Armed Forces veterans condemn Modi govt: “Dissent is not treason”

New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) A group of Indian armed forces veterans have flagged their concern over “divisiveness” and “relentless vigilantism” gripping the country and condemned the targeting of Muslims and Dalits. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 114 veterans wrote that issues like vigilantism and “targeting of Muslims and Dalits” have […]

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5 Aug, 2017

ETOA Statement: Ministerial Response to European Border Delays is ‘Self-Mutilation’

London, 4 August 2017 (ETOA media release) – The new Schengen border controls, which were planned and announced before the Brexit vote last year, impose rigorous checks on those people entering the Schengen zone, which embraces 26 European countries. This has caused severe delays – the very kind of delays routinely experienced by visitors entering […]

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5 Aug, 2017

U.S. Govt’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Approach Continues to Single Out Muslims

By CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Amineh Safi (aSafi@cair.com) Last week, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a congressional hearing examining the government’s policy for countering violent extremism (CVE) domestically.  Disappointingly, like the federal government’s overall CVE program, the oversight committee singled out the American Muslim community as the sole focus of its countering violent extremism […]

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4 Aug, 2017

How Thai tourism’s history deficit saw it lose a huge ASEAN@50 opportunity

Bangkok – As ASEAN prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation on 08 Aug 2017, the Thai tourism industry has lost a major opportunity to celebrate the central role played by the Kingdom in ASEAN’s formation, and better understand the significant linkage between peace, ASEAN integration, diplomacy and travel. Had there been greater […]

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3 Aug, 2017

European passengers face four-hour security queues, flight delays this summer

Brussels, 27 July 2017, (A4E) –Thousands of flights recently had to be delayed because EU border controls are significantly understaffed to comply with tightened immigration checks — some passengers even missed their flights. During this busy summer travel season, airline travellers have become victims of the disproportionate impact that the implementation of a new EU […]

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3 Aug, 2017

Lessons from the Malaysian National Museum for the future of ASEAN

Kuala Lumpur — As a history buff, I enjoy visiting museums. These homes for the preservation of history are the best places to learn the lessons of history, and perhaps avoid repeating past mistakes. Last week, I visited the Malaysian National Museum in Kuala Lumpur for the third time. This visit had a special significance. […]

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1 Aug, 2017

Langkawi’s PATA Event to help Malaysia hit 2020 tourism target

Malaysia, Langkawi, 29 July 2017, (NNN-Bernama) — The PATA Travel Mart 2018, to be held in Langkawi, will pave the way for Malaysia to achieve its 2020 target of 36 million tourist arrivals annually with a RM168-billion income from the tourism industry. Tourism Malaysia director-general, Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said the event, which will be held […]

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1 Aug, 2017

Malaysia: Wat Charok Padang Continues to Attract Tourists

Malaysia, SIK, 27 July 2017, (NNN-Bernama) — A bottle-shaped Buddhist temple, Wat Charok Padang, here continues to attract tourists who came to see the First Bottle-Made Temple in Malaysia as listed in the Malaysia Book of Records. The temple, which was inspired from Wat Pa Maha Kaew or the Temple of Million Bottles in Sisaket, […]

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1 Aug, 2017

Qatar Airways Sticks to Plane Orders Despite Crisis

Doha, Qatar, 29 July 2017, (NNN-QNA) — Qatar Airways continues to make money, and will go through with jet orders it’s already committed to, as the nation seeks an international ruling, restoring its access to air corridors, the Minister of Transport & Communications, Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, said. “We are continuing and maybe we’ll go […]

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1 Aug, 2017

Kenya Eyes More Chinese Tourists After Jack Ma’s Visit

Kenya, Nairobi, 31 July 2017, (NNN-Xinhua) — Kenya’s tourism marketers promised to bring more Chinese tourists to the East African nation after a visit by Chinese business magnate Jack Ma. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said travel agents have termed the visit by the billionaire a major boost and endorsement to their campaigns – that seek […]

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1 Aug, 2017

New Air Route to link Vietnam’s Da Nang and China’s Zuni

China, Beijing, 31 July 2017, (NNN-Bernama) — Chinese tourist arrivals in Vietnam are expected to rise after the launch of a direct air route between Vietnam’s Da Nang city and China’s Zunyi city, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. The route, to start on Aug 5 and served by an Airbus A321, will take off at […]

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1 Aug, 2017

China to boost green manufacturing in Yangtze River Economic Belt

China, Beijing, 30 July 2017, (Xinhua) — China will develop green manufacturing in the Yangtze River Economic Belt to reduce pollution and boost economic growth. The total industrial output of green manufacturing in the region will reach 5 trillion yuan (742 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020, according to guidelines released by the Ministry of Industry […]

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1 Aug, 2017

Chinese smart bike-sharing platform Mobike launches service in London

LONDON, 31 July 2017, (Xinhua) — Chinese bike-sharing company Mobike on Monday announced the launch of its popular service in London, starting in the West London borough of Ealing. The launch comes hot on the heels of Mobike’s success in launching the UK’s first council and community backed bicycle sharing scheme in Manchester just a […]

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1 Aug, 2017

China supports two-state solution on Palestinian issue: President Xi

BEIJING, 18 July 2017, (Xinhua) — China supports a political settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution, President Xi Jinping said Tuesday. China supports Palestine in building an independent, full sovereignty state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Xi said in his talks with visiting Palestinian […]

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1 Aug, 2017

UN agency develops new guidelines to help countries better monitor forest resources

26 July 2017, (UN News) – The United Nations agriculture agency has created new guidelines to help countries develop a strong mechanism to monitor national forest resources. “The demand for reliable, up-to-date and more diverse forestry data and stronger analytical capacities at a national level has grown considerably in recent years,” said Eva Muller, Director […]

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1 Aug, 2017

“This Is Palestine” documentary charts brutality of life under Israeli boot

Israeli-occupied Palestine, 16 June 2017, (TrocairePLUS)–‘This Is Palestine’ follows the journey of Riverdance founder John McColgan through the West Bank and Gaza as he explores the impact of ongoing conflict and military occupation on the people who live there. The documentary features powerful interviews with people who have lost their home, land and family members […]

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1 Aug, 2017

More Chinese students go on overseas study tours

BEIJING, 29 July 2017, (Xinhua) — More and more Chinese students are putting overseas study tours on their agenda this summer. Consisting of language courses, sightseeing and international communication, study tours meet the demands of Chinese parents and students for a long and fruitful holiday, despite high costs of around 4,000 to 6,000 U.S. dollars. […]

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1 Aug, 2017

China to plow big money into emerging industries

BEIJING, 30 July 2017, (Xinhua) — China is set to boost investment in emerging sectors ranging from artificial intelligence to biopharmaceuticals as it seeks fresh growth impetus in the new industrial revolution. A number of local authorities, including Ningxia, Guangxi and Shandong, have rolled out support policies and detailed investment plans, eyeing a bigger proportion […]

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1 Aug, 2017

Chinese tourists to Vietnam up 51% in 7 Months

Hanoi, Vietnam, 28 July 2017, (NNN-Xinhua) — Vietnam is estimated to welcome over 2.2 million Chinese visitors in the first seven months of this year, up 51 percent against the same period last year, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said on Friday. Vietnam this year has so far received a total of over 7.2 […]

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30 Jul, 2017

89 Chinese uber-rich to go on uber-luxury holiday to Kenya, Tahiti

by Zhang Lei Beijing, chinadaily.com.cn, 2017-07-28 – Crystal Skye, a luxury Boeing 777, will leave Hong Kong on Sept 30 for maiden eight-day cruise to Kenya and then Tahiti. Only 86 Chinese passengers will take the trip and be waited on by butlers and served Michelin-star quality food. The plane can hold up to 450 […]

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29 Jul, 2017

Cruises: European Union moves to improve working conditions of seafarers on EU-flagged ships

Brussels, 27 July 2017, European Commission media release – The European Commission is proposing that an agreement between social partners to improve the working conditions of seafarers on board of EU-flagged vessels, be enshrined in EU law. The proposal will ensure that seafarers are better protected against abandonment in foreign ports in the future, and […]

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27 Jul, 2017

Tech Leaders, Office Workers Say Email Will Continue to Dominate in 2020, Followed by Instant Messaging

MENLO PARK, Calif., July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — While offices are steadily going paperless, inboxes will still be filling up in the next three years, according to respondents in two surveys recently conducted by Robert Half Technology. Regardless of their relationship to the technology – either those leading the group who manages and implements communication platforms […]

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27 Jul, 2017

Vancouver Rally on July 30 For Pluralist India

Source: An Hour For India — by Press Release — There has been a systematic attack on the rich pluralist society and culture of India since Narendra Modi came to power with a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) majority in 2014. A secular, democratic republic with guaranteed citizenship rights and constitutional protection of minorities is in the […]

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27 Jul, 2017

Busan One Asia Festival, Asian No.1 Korean Wave Festival, to be held in October

BUSAN, South Korea, 26 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE–Best K-pop singers will meet their Hallyu (Korean Wave) fans from all over the world in Busan in October. They will come together in the 2017 Busan One Asia Festival (BOF), Asian No.1 Korean Wave Festival. The fest will be hosted by Busan Metropolitan City Government and run […]

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27 Jul, 2017

AIDS still a global “burning crisis”

PARIS, 26 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE –The latest data presented at the 9th IAS Conference on HIV Science in Paris suggest that the AIDS crisis is on track to be over by 2020, but many persistent problems with access to treatment and prevention in hard-hit countries seem to contradict this optimistic outlook. “We are concerned that leaders […]

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27 Jul, 2017

Amazon Introduces Prime Now in Singapore: Free Two-Hour Delivery on Tens of Thousands of Items

SEATTLE, 26 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE–Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced the launch of Prime Now in Singapore, which offers free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items right from your phone. Customers can shop on the Prime Now app for everything on their list from eggs, cold beer and ice cream to baby […]

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24 Jul, 2017

Why the Thai Tourism Action Plan has outlived its usefulness, and what to do about it

Bangkok – When Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn unveiled the TAT Action Plan for 2018 on 17 July 2017, he did something never done before at this annual event. He flashed up a slide showing the impact of climate change and the deteriorating conditions of some popular Thai beach resorts. Without mentioning […]

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21 Jul, 2017

Thousands of Palestinians march towards Al-Aqsa to protest Israeli mosque restrictions

JERUSALEM, July 21, 2017 (WAFA) – Thousands of Palestinians Friday afternoon marched towards Jerusalem’s Old City to express their rejection of the metal detectors, which the Israeli cabinet has decided to leave in place despite Palestinian protests. Islamic Waqf in charge of running the mosque compound called earlier this week on Palestinians in East Jerusalem […]

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21 Jul, 2017

Chinese community joins S. Africans in marking Mandela Day by helping the poor

CAPE TOWN, 20 July 2017, Xinhua — The Chinese community in Cape Town joined South Africans on Tuesday in marking the Nelson Mandela International Day by helping the poor. The Chinese Community Police Forum (CCPF) in the Cape West Coast hosted a charity event by donating daily necessities to the elderly at a time when […]

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21 Jul, 2017

Chinese tourism study reveals expenditure shift from shopping to culture

Beijing, 15 July 2017, China Daily — Chinese tourists are the biggest spenders in the world, but increasingly direct their dollars away from shopping to local culture. Their overall trip expenditure is still on the rise, according to a recent survey. The new study by Oliver Wyman, an international management consulting firm, covered 2,000 correspondents […]

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21 Jul, 2017

China tightens regulation of private museums

Beijing, 20 July 2017, Xinhua — China has issued new rules to strengthen the management of non-state-owned museums, forbidding private museums to distribute property among founders and sponsors when they are shut down. According to the regulation issued by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the residual property should be used for the public interest. […]

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21 Jul, 2017

Citizens Against Government Waste Releases 2017 U.S. Congressional Pig Book

WASHINGTON, 19 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE–Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released its 2017 Congressional Pig Book, the 25th edition of the group’s exposé on pork-barrel spending. CAGW President Tom Schatz was joined at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. by Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chair […]

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21 Jul, 2017

UnionPay International report: Chinese students abroad spend over 380 billion RMB

SHANGHAI, 20 July 2017, PRNewswire — According to the Report on the Spending of Chinese Students’ Abroad (2017) issued by UnionPay International on July 20, Chinese students who study abroad spend over 380 billion RMB overseas each year and 80% of it are tuition fees and daily expenses (figures estimated based on the overseas spending […]

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20 Jul, 2017

Maldives about to enter mass tourism era – is it prepared?

Malé, Maldives – A US$845 million expansion of the Malé international airport, the country’s biggest construction project ever, is expected to help the country hit a target of two million arrivals by 2020, about five times the national population and up from 1.3 million arrivals in 2016. Although it will open a new era in […]

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20 Jul, 2017

On Nelson Mandela International Day, Palestinians say he was an inspiration

RAMALLAH, July 19, 2017 (WAFA) – On the occasion of the Nelson Mandela International Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Wednesday honored the anti-Apartheid South African leader saying the long struggle he led against apartheid and its defeat in 1994 was an inspiration for all those struggling for justice around the globe. “The […]

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20 Jul, 2017

2017 Taxi Price Index released – Travellers guide for taxi costs around the world

London, United Kingdom, 13 July 2017, Carspring News — Online used car dealership Carspring have produced a study revealing the price of taxi use in 80 cities around the world. With their interests in all things automotive, the online dealer looked to bring transparency to the public regarding taxi costs, particularly for those who may […]

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20 Jul, 2017

CAIR Report: 2017 on Track to Becoming One of Worst Years for Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes

WASHINGTON, DC, 17 July 2017, CAIR News –The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released an update on anti-Muslim incidents in the second quarter (April-June) of 2017. CAIR’s quarterly report indicates that the number of hate crimes in the first half of 2017 spiked 91 percent […]

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20 Jul, 2017

Jerusalem’s religious figures call for not using Israel’s e-gates at Al-Aqsa mosque

JERUSALEM, 17 July 2017, (WAFA) — Jerusalem’s top Islamic religious figures Monday called upon Palestinians seeking to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque not to go through the metal detectors installed by Israeli police the day before at the entrances to the mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City. The officials, who included the Mufti of Jerusalem, the head […]

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17 Jul, 2017

FREE DOWNLOAD: The Olive Tree – How Travel & Tourism can Contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Olive Tree is the first and only publication designed to help Travel & Tourism become a more committed part of the solution in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Free download. Click on any of the images below. ++++++++++ The Olive Tree Edition 20, July-August 2020 ++++++++++ The Olive Tree Edition 19, May-June 2020 […]

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14 Jul, 2017

New global partnership to help countries tackle increasing e-waste challenges

Geneva, 12 July 2017, ITU News –As digital and tech devices become more available worldwide, their responsible disposal is becoming a challenge for many countries. In response, ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technology (ICT) has partnered with the United Nations University (UNU), acting through its Vice Rectorate in Europe hosted […]

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14 Jul, 2017

Over 12 mln yuan in fines issued in Chinese tourism industry crackdown

Beijing, 11 July 2017, Xinhua — Over 12 million yuan (1.76 million U.S. dollars) in fines were issued during the country’s largest ever crackdown on its tourism industry. From February, the tourism watchdog worked with public security, industry and commerce authorities to launch the three-month long crackdown on irregular practices in the tourism industry. Thousands of inspectors […]

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14 Jul, 2017

Chinese tourists to get visas on arrival in Qatar

Beijing, 11 July 2017, People’s Daily Online — Qatar recently announced that tourists from China will be able to get 30-day visas on arrival for roughly $30. According to the official WeChat account of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday, Chinese tourists only need a passport with at least six months […]

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14 Jul, 2017

Chinese company contracted to build Pakistan’s largest airport

Beijing, 11 July 2017, People’s Daily Online — China Construction Third Engineering Bureau has won a 41-billion rupee (about 2.6 billion RMB) contract to engineer, procure, and construct the Allama Iqbal International Airport. It will be Pakistan’s largest airport after reconstruction, and local infrastructure will be improved too. It is the largest project that the Third Engineering […]

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