China adds millions of new urban jobs in January-June: authorities

China added 6.95 million new urban jobs nationwide in the first half of the year, accomplishing 58 percent of this year's employment target, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Tuesday.

In June, the surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5 percent, remaining flat compared with one year earlier, Cui Pengcheng, a spokesman for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said at a press conference in Beijing.

The employment situation is generally stable, Cui said.

China's funds of social insurance system including the basic old-age insurance, unemployment insurance and work-related injury insurance remained stable, he said.

As of the end of June, the accumulated balance of the three social insurance funds stood at 9.83 trillion yuan (1.37 trillion U.S. dollars).

The amount of basic old-age insurance funds in investment and operation reached 2.55 trillion yuan (about 355.5 billion U.S. dollars) in late June, he said.

China adds millions of new urban jobs in January-June: authorities

China adds millions of new urban jobs in January-June: authorities

China adds millions of new urban jobs in January-June: authorities

China adds millions of new urban jobs in January-June: authorities

China adds millions of new urban jobs in January-June: authorities

China adds millions of new urban jobs in January-June: authorities

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela