KUNMING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A railway linking the cities of Lijiang and Shangri-la, two well-known tourist destinations in southwest China's Yunnan Province, opened to traffic on Sunday.

With the operation of the Lijiang-Shangri-la railway, the fastest travel time between the two cities will be 1 hour and 18 minutes.

The 139-km railway also connects Shangri-la, in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, to the provincial capital Kunming.

The new line will help improve transportation in ethnic minority areas, which will promote national unity, consolidate border stability, and promote Yunnan's high-quality development.

The second Global Digital Trade Expo has concluded in China's Hangzhou. The expo has provided an important platform to boost digital economy. 

 Produced by Xinhua Global Service

A group of foreign envoys, diplomats and representatives from international organizations has been deeply impressed by the development of wine industry against the harsh environment in China's Ningxia after a recent on-site visit.

 Produced by Xinhua Global Service

With robots replacing humans, a "lights-out" factory in Nan'an in China's Fujian is running with increased efficiency and lower energy use. 

  Produced by Xinhua Global Service

A workshop to promote international collaboration in emerging technologies opened Wednesday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

 Produced by Xinhua Global Service

Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia met H.E. Zhou Qian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Georgia today.

Friendly and strategic partnership between the two countries was noted with satisfaction at the meeting. Current agenda of bilateral relations was also discussed.

Intensification of cooperation between the countries in various areas was given a high assessment and hopes were expressed towards the format of strategic partnership, which will lead to a further development of sectoral, economic and trade relations between the people.

Successful cooperation between the two countries was also highlighted at the meeting for the development of a special geopolitical location of Georgia, which increases its potential as a corridor connecting east and west.

Historic importance of the visit paid by the Prime Minister of Georgia at the invitation of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China was highlighted at the meeting and its huge role in solidifying the relations between Georgia and China at a strategic level.

Prime Minister of Georgia most positively reiterated the outstanding role, vision and achievements of effective governance of the President of the People's Republic of China in the transformation and advancement of China, thereby focusing on various wide-scale reforms planned by the Government of China under the leadership of the President, including the initiatives of global significance, as well as different and extraordinary vision of the President of China in solving and regulating the problems witnessed at a regional and international scale.

The Prime Minister of Georgia also commented on the statement made by the Mme President of Georgia in relation to H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China in an interview with a French Television Channel LCI, thereby stating that such wording is categorically unacceptable and alarming.

Referred rhetoric contradicts the attitude of the Georgian authorities and people of Georgia towards China and does not comply with a friendly, strategic partnership spirit of the two countries, thereby harming the friendly relations and partnership between the two countries. According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, it is unfortunate and by far not the first instance when Mme President of Georgia has violated the Constitution by harming the state interests, pursuing individual activities and making personal assessments of international affairs that are not aligned with the government position, as a result of which the international image of the country suffers. Her public and grave breaches of the Constitution have served as a reason for the ruling team to initiate the Impeachment of Mme President.

According to the Prime Minister, Georgia is a parliamentary republic, whereby the president is not entitled to run the foreign policy of the country. It is the exclusive discretion of the Government of Georgia to carry out the foreign policy of the country and such a mandate has only been granted to the Government by the Georgian people. Thus, the statement made by Mme President of Georgia does not even formally express the attitude of the Georgian authorities towards the state and leader of China.

The Prime Minister of Georgia expressed deploration for the statement made by the President of Georgia, thereby expressing hopes that it will not affect or harm the historically most positive relationship dynamics between Georgia and China.

By the close of the meeting, dignitaries expressed readiness to maintain the active agenda of relations and to work for greater solidification of interaction between the two countries.

Press Service of the Government Administration

Dozens of British students visited China's southwest city Chengdu through Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP). By visiting giant pandas on-site, learning biodiversity protection tips in class and making their own panda-related artworks, they improved their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture well.

MEP, initiated and funded by the British government and supported by the Ministry of Education of China, aims to cultivate Chinese language skills among British students. Over the past seven years, MEP has helped some 11,000 British students develop their Mandarin skills.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service

China has become a main pillar of innovation for Porsche because of the enlarged footprint of research and development in China, said the President and CEO of Porsche China during the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.

 Produced by Xinhua Global Service

"The CIIE is a window of opportunity for us, so we're very much looking forward to getting back to Shanghai," said an exhibitor who will attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Produced by Xinhua Global Service

Over 10 medical experts from provinces relatively advanced in the medical sector have visited and offered support to a hospital in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang. #GLOBALink

 Produced by Xinhua Global Service