China's major port cargo ship departure tonnage rises 56.4 pct in July

The deadweight tonnage of cargo vessels departing from China's major ports increased by 56.4 percent year-on-year in July this year, with the growth rate surging by 38.9 percentage points compared with that in June.

Specifically, the total deadweight tonnage of roll-on/roll-off cargo ships surged by 87.1 percent year on year, indicating continued rapid growth in auto exports.

Meanwhile, imports also grew steadily. The total deadweight tonnage of liquefied natural gas carriers and liquid cargo ships that arrived at major Chinese ports in July increase by 37.8 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively.

Imports of energy and chemical raw materials continued to expand in July, indicating that domestic producers have stable production expectations and improving confidence, experts say.

"Against the backdrop of a still complex external environment, it's particularly valuable that China's foreign trade sustained its upward trend. The strong export performance of high-tech products such as new energy vehicles reflects the increasing recognition of 'Made in China' products in the global market," said Xing Yuguan, an associate research fellow at the State Information Center of the National Development and Reform Commission.

China's major port cargo ship departure tonnage rises 56.4 pct in July

China on Friday called on the international community to increase support for education in Sudan, where the armed conflict has left nearly eight million children out of school and severely damaged educational infrastructure.

The UN Security Council held a meeting on Friday focusing on education in Sudan. Sun Lei, charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said the armed conflict had forced nearly eight million children out of school, with many schools reduced to ruins and the development of an entire generation cruelly disrupted.

Acts that harm children should be seriously held accountable in accordance with the law and must never be tolerated or condoned, Sun said.

"The international community should increase input in Sudan's education for restoring damaged school buildings, training more teachers, guaranteeing the supply of teaching materials, and using information technology to enrich educational resources and teaching methods, so that more students can have access to learning," the Chinese envoy said.

He also called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and fighting as soon as possible and return to the track of a political settlement at an early date.

China calls for greater int'l support for education in Sudan