President Xi to deliver speech via video at Boao Forum for Asia opening plenary

Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech via video link at the opening plenary of this year's Boao Forum for Asia annual conference.

The 20th edition of the forum is underway in Hainan, focused on the cooperation among Asian countries and the reshaping of global growth in the post-pandemic era.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Tsinghua University ahead of its 110th anniversary

The Chinese President has inspected Tsinghua University that is to celebrate its 110th anniversary later this month.

Xi Jinping made stops at places including the Academy of Arts and Design and the laboratory of imaging and intelligence technology.

He delivered a speech to students and faculty after learning about the university's efforts in deepening reform, talents building, teaching and research innovation, and serving the development of the country.

BFA Chairman voices confidence for forum's prospect

Boao Forum for Asia Chairperson Ban Ki-moon has described the annual conference as a major platform for top officials and industry pacemakers to interact and brainstorm.

Zhang Yun brings more.

Chairperson Ban Ki-moon says the focus of the Boao Forum for Asia has gone beyond Asia-related topics, after 20 years of development.

This year's annual conference is mainly being held offline with the addition of online features as part of ongoing COVID-19 prevention and control efforts. Ban believes that the forum provides a good platform for champions from different arenas to discuss major international issues.

"This year's BFA offers a rare opportunity for leaders to meet face-to-face on the most pressing issues today, from economic recovery to vaccine accessibility to poverty reduction to climate change to sustainable future. We cannot afford any more delays in tackling these challenges."

Looking forward, the former UN chief says the forum will expand its footprint and cover a wider range of agendas in the next two decades due to its progressive nature.

'Under national security law, we have now seen stability,' says Carrie Lam

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has talked about changes that have taken place in the special administrative region under the national security law. She has spoken with China Global Television Network during an interview at the Boao Forum for Asia. 

Let's take a listen.

UK PM Boris Johnson's trip to India canceled due to COVID-19

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's scheduled trip to India has been called off due to concerns over the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Officials say Johnson will instead speak later this month with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to agree and launch their ambitious plans for the future partnership between the two sides.

The announcement came after India's total cases of COVID-19 exceeded 15 million.

NASA helicopter breaks records with flight on Mars

NASA's experimental Mars helicopter rose from the dusty red surface into the thin air on Monday, achieving the first powered, controlled flight on another planet.

Flight controllers in California confirmed Ingenuity's brief hop after receiving data via the Perseverance rover, which stood watch 65 meters away.

The 85 million US-dollar copter hitched a ride to Mars on Perseverance, clinging to the rover's belly upon their arrival in an ancient river delta in February.

2 dead in Tesla crash in Texas that was believed to be driverless

Two men were killed after a Tesla vehicle crashed into a tree on Saturday night north of Houston.

Officials say the 2019 Tesla Model S is believed to be operating without anyone in the driver's seat when it failed to negotiate a curve and went off the roadway.