BIG FIVE IDEAS

Today’s highly discussed Global Times stories on social media

SUPPORTING MPIA

China will continue to support the MultiParty Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) set up by EU, China and other WTO members, said the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday. The US has been criticizing the arrangement, which harms the multilateral trade system.

VIRUS AMPLIFYING

Chinese scientists have managed to isolate and culture the coronavirus strain detected in the latest cluster of infections centered in Beijing’s Xinfadi market, with lab results showing the strain continues to transform and amplify. The new discovery is crucial in evaluating the new outbreak.

COMAC SUPPLY CHAIN

Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC has set up its supply chain network in nine cities along the Yangtze River Delta, including 14 certified COMAC suppliers and another three candidates. Nearly 1,000 companies are listed as reserves.

INDIA DOWNGRADE

US-based ratings agency Fitch Ratings has revised its outlook on India’s longterm foreign-currency issuer default rating from stable to negative, citing economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. India has over 350,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Thursday.

JD SECONDARY LISTING

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange congratulates JD.com, China’s second-largest e-commerce firm, on its secondary listing on Thursday. It marks the biggest fundraising thus far in 2020 on the Hong Kong bourse, raising nearly $4 billion. JD.com shares rose over 3 percent in their first day of trading in Hong Kong.