China's FM proposes considering extension of Iran's nuclear talks
China's top diplomat is proposing an extension of Iran's nuclear talks, if more time is needed to reach a deal.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Vienna for the latest talks between Tehran and the P5+1 group.
Wang Yi says China hopes the deal can be reached by the Monday deadline.
However he notices that gaps remain between the sides, and if the parties can not bridge the remaining major differences before the deadline then more time should be taken to reach a solution.
The interim deal agreed to last year has seen Iran curb some of its uranium enrichment in return for limited sanctions relief.
The sticking points now are how many uranium enrichment centrifuges Iran can have and the speed of lifting sanctions.
China releases emergency fund budget for quake-hit county
The Finance Ministry has announced that the central government had budgeted an emergency relief fund of 50 million yuan or 8 million U.S. dollars, for those affected by an earthquake in Kangding County, Sichuan Province.
The money will be used for emergency evacuation and settlement initiatives, as well as allowances and compensation for locals. It will also assist with reconstruction of damaged homes.
Five people were killed and 54 others injured after the 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the county on Saturday.
Five injured Chinese workers under treatment in Malaysia
Five injured Chinese workers are now receiving treatment in Sarawak after a coal mine exploded in eastern Malaysia, killing three.
A total of 29 people, all foreign workers, are injured in the weekend's explosion.
The explosion site is about 130 kilometers away from Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak.
The Chinese Consulate in Kuching confirms that most of the injured workers suffered burns as the tunnel caught fire.
Police are now looking into the accident.
It is reported the mine, owned by a Chinese national, has been in operation for 8 years.
Most of the miners are foreign workers, coming from countries including China, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Philippine court convicts 9 Chinese fishermen
Nine Chinese fishermen have been convicted of poaching by a court in the western Philippines.
The group has also been convicted for taking rare, threatened, or endangered species.
The fishermen have received jail terms ranging from 12 to 20 years.
Eleven Chinese fishermen were detained by Philippines police near China's Half Moon Bay Shoal in south China in May.
Two minors were released. Those two have claimed that the 500 sea turtles found on the Chinese vessel had actually been traded from a Vietnamese fishing boat.
Mexico's transport minister in Beijing to discuss aborted rail contract
Mexico's transport minister is now in Beijing talking to Chinese authorities about the termination of a 3.7 billion USD high-speed rail contract with a Chinese company.
The contract, which had been awarded to a consortium led by China Railway Construction, was abruptly revoked hours after the bid was approved.
Local media in Mexico have said the contract was terminated after opposition lawmakers in the parliament claimed the deal was fixed.
The minister's time in Beijing will be to explain that decision and invite China Railway Construction for a re-bidding.
China, Canada pledge to boost military ties
Chinese and Canadian military officials have pledged to enhance cooperation.
Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan met with Yvan Blondin, the visiting commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in Beijing.
Chang lauded the progress that's been made between the two sides already in terms of defense education, military laws, human resources management, and mutual visits by warships.
He expressed willingness from the Chinese side to further promote them based on "equality, moderation, and sustainability."
Blondin says Canada has a positive outlook toward enhancing exchanges and coordination.
S.Korea holds drill in islets disputed with Japan
South Korea has held annual military drills on islands that are also claimed by Japan.
A defense ministry spokesman says the one-day drill was held to defend Dokdo, calling the islands inherent parts of South Korea's territory.
In Japan, the islands are called Takeshima.
South Korea has been holding these military exercises twice a year since 1986, and the country says the purpose of this training is to defend the islands against "external forces."
Genocide trial for senior Khmer Rouge leaders adjourned to next year
The UN War Crimes Tribunal has postponed hearings against two former leaders of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime until January.
The decision was made because lawyers for one of the defendents have been boycotting the proceedings.
The second and final trial against the two senior Khmer Rouge officials was supposed to get underway on October 17th but has been delayed.
Khmer Rouge regime is blamed for an estimated 1.7 million deaths in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.
The two leaders on trial were previously sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity, but both have filed appeals.
Thick smog forecast for northern China/xinhua
The National Meteorological Centre has issued a new smog warning for northern China.
Air quality is expected to drop starting from Tuesday morning, with smog reaching levels of medium to severe.
The worst-hit areas are expected to include southern Beijing, western Tianjin, and Hebei Province.
The smog problem is expected to be noticed over a wide area of northern China. The northern part of Huang-huai and the Guanzhong region of Shaanxi Province are also expected to experience a drop in air quality.
People with breathing problems are advised to stay indoors or wear protective masks after the smog arrives.