China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Top 10 global stories of year
It proved to be another year in which world peace was elusive, but amid the gloom there were a few positive glimmers. Here China Daily lists its top world news stories of 2017.
Grand idea with mankind at its center is enshrined
“A community of shared future for mankind” was enshrined by the United Nations Security Council, the Human Rights Council and the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, transforming the Chinese concept into an international consensus. After President Xi Jinping put the idea to the international community in a keynote speech at the UN Office in Geneva on Jan 18, the concept was incorporated into a resolution in the 55th UN Commission for Social Development on Feb 10. the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt announced they had severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed sanctions on the country, alleging that Qatar was “supporting terrorism” and “undermining regional security”.
Qatar strongly denied the charges, rejected conditions the countries set out for resuming diplomatic ties, including cutting off ties with Iran.
Wars in Syria and Yemen continued and efforts to find a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were further complicated when the US announced in December that it would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Louvre in Paris on May 17.
World hails 19th CPC National Congress
The world congratulated the Communist Party of China for the success in holding its 19th National Congress from Oct 18 to 24.
The Party received more than 1,340 congratulatory telegrams and letters from more than 450 major political parties in 165 countries after the congress, which established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and embarked on a new journey of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The congress underlined China’s wisdom in handling international relations, an achievement hailed around the world.
Victory declared in war against Islamic State
The war against the Islamic State group was declared over as Iran, on Nov 19, and Iraq, on Dec 9, announced they had defeated IS in their countries. However, analysts said this did not mean the extremist group had been eradicated from the Middle East.
In July, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared full liberation of Mosul, the IS de facto capital. The recapture signaled the collapse of IS and a turning point in the threeyear anti-terrorism war.
At its peak, IS controlled vast expanses of territory on both sides of the Iraq-Syria border. Thousands of lives were lost, and homes and centuries-old artifacts in the two countries were destroyed as the group fought to conquer and retain territory.
Mugabe steps down as Zimbabwe’s leader
Robert Mugabe, 93, was forced to resign as Zimbabwe’s president on Nov 21, ending his 37-year rule. After deposing Mugabe, the ruling ZanuPF party chose the vicepresident, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as the country’s second president since it became independent in 1980. Mugabe fired Mnangagwa, 75, for allegedly coveting the presidency, which triggered a military takeover of the government.
Global economy in good shape, data suggests
The world economy experienced stable recovery after its decadelong slump since the financial crisis, and the International Monetary Fund adjusted its growth projection to 3.6 percent for the year and 3.7 percent for 2018. Broad-based upward revisions in the eurozone, Asia, Europe and Russia have contributed to the rise.
China’s economic growth, expected to have been 6.9 percent in 2017, is still the biggest source of global economic growth. Other factors include the world’s relatively loose monetary fiscal policy and scientific and technological innovation.