Epstein files scandal exposes deep-rooted corruption in US political, judicial systems: CGTN poll

A global poll launched by the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Wednesday shows that the scandal over the Epstein files has dismantled America's image as a human rights beacon and exposed systemic corruption within the U.S. political and judicial systems.

The 24-hour survey across CGTN's five language platforms drew some 9,700 participants.

The survey showed 97.1 percent of respondents express deep concern that the widespread moral decay among the elite class revealed by the Epstein case has severely offended human conscience, while 95.6 percent of respondents believe that the U.S. judicial system applies "double standards" when dealing with the powerful elite.

The poll also showed that 93.9 percent of respondents believe that this "selective transparency" by the U.S. Department of Justice has reduced the U.S. judicial system to a "protective umbrella" for the privileged class.

Meanwhile, 89.8 percent of respondents criticize the long-standing inaction of the U.S. judicial system, stating that this case has severely damaged the credibility of the American legal system.

The results of the survey show that the American Dream has utterly degenerated into a delusion of "privilege preying on humanity," CGTN said on Thursday.

The case of the late U.S. financier and convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein has shocked the world. Late last month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released the remaining batch of documents of the so-called Epstein files, totaling some three million pages, with 2,000 video segments and 180,000 images included, sparking serious scrutiny across the Atlantic and in several other countries.

The latest release of related documents prompted the resignation of several political figures over the nature of their ties to Epstein, who died under mysterious circumstances while in federal custody in 2019.

The handling of the files themselves has been another source of outrage, with numerous redactions raising further questions about who is being protected, while errors by the DOJ exposed a significant amount of victim information, including the names and personal details of nearly 100 victims, causing further fury.

Epstein files scandal exposes deep-rooted corruption in US political, judicial systems: CGTN poll

Epstein files scandal exposes deep-rooted corruption in US political, judicial systems: CGTN poll

Trade volume between China and Russia surged 19.7 percent year on year to reach 85.2 billion U.S. dollars during the January-April period, marking a good start to this year, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

He Yadong, spokesman for the commerce ministry, said at a regular press briefing that the annual trade between the two countries has exceeded 200 billion U.S. dollars for three consecutive years.

The ministry and relevant Russian authorities have signed cooperation documents on trade and support for multilateralism, He said.

The spokesman said the two sides will continue to strengthen communication on economic and trade policies, leverage new quality productive forces to create fresh engines for growth, and upgrade trade in goods and services.

"The annual trade volume between China and Russia has exceeded 200 billion U.S. dollars for three consecutive years. Trade between the two countries got off to a good start this year as the trade volume during the January-April period reached 85.2 billion U.S. dollars, up 19.7 percent year on year. As the upgraded China-Russia agreement on promotion and reciprocal protection of investments has officially come into effect, investment and cooperation in industrial and supply chains between the two countries are set to see continuous improvements with deepening sub-national cooperation. Not long ago, the two heads of state sent congratulatory letters to the 10th China-Russia Expo, fully demonstrating their deep expectations for strengthening local cooperation between the two countries," He said.

"Next, the commerce ministry will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and work to improve and upgrade bilateral economic and trade cooperation to lay a solid foundation for the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. The two sides will also enhance mutual collaboration in multilateral and regional cooperation, jointly contributing to safeguarding a fair and reasonable international economic order," He said.

China-Russia trade up 19.7 pct in Jan-April