Hong Kong's influence as international financial hub fully recognized: spokesman

The Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI) 40 Report released on Wednesday once again fully affirms that Hong Kong remains a strong magnet with great influence and competitiveness as an international financial hub, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

Hong Kong maintained the third place globally and continued to hold the top position in the Asia-Pacific region in the GFCI 40 Report released by British think tank Z/Yen Group and the China Development Institute in Shenzhen. The report assessed a total of 117 financial centers around the world.

"With the safeguards of 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong has witnessed remarkable economic growth. Its leading position as an international financial, shipping and trade center has been further reaffirmed. Hong Kong's IPO market in the first half of the year had come in second globally, raising around 203.3 billion Hong Kong dollars," said Guo Jiakun, the spokesman, at a press conference in Beijing.

"The report reaffirms Hong Kong's appeal, influence and competitiveness as an international financial hub. It represents yet another vote of confidence in Hong Kong's unique status and strengths and in the prospects of 'one country, two systems,'" he said.

Two adorable red panda cubs shared tender moments as they were snuggling up to each other at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The footage, filmed at the Hill Red Panda Nursery House of the research base, shows the two cubs snuggle tightly together, with one gently leaning against the other's back.

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a world-renowned institution dedicated to the ex-situ conservation, scientific breeding, public education, and educational tourism of giant pandas. As a model project for panda conservation, it is famous for its work in protecting and breeding endangered species unique to China, including giant pandas and red pandas.