China's consumption contributed 71 percent of economic growth in the first three quarters, up by 13.3 percentage points compared with the same period last year, government data showed on Oct 19. Retail sales of consumer goods grew by 10.4 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters, slightly higher than the 10.3 percent growth in the first half. Per capita disposable income in the first three quarters grew by 6.3 percent, down by 0.2 percentage points from the first half of the year.

More older migrants heading for cities

More policy support is needed to help cities to integrate a rapidly growing number of older migrants, according to a report released on Oct 19 by the national health authority. Migrants aged 60 or over numbered 17.8 million last year, 7.2 percent of the total of 247 million migrants, the 2016 Report on China's Migrant Population Development showed. In 2010, there were 9.3 million in that demographic, 4.2 percent of a total of 221 million migrants. The report, based on surveys and monitoring by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said the average age of migrants has risen to 29.3 from 27.9 in 2013.

Captive panda cubs are released into wild

Two female captive panda cubs, aged 2 and 3, that were trained to survive in the wild, were released into the Liziping Nature Reserve in Shimian county, Sichuan province, on Oct 20. The release of the cubs was confirmed by Zhang Hemin, chief of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, during the International Conference on Giant Panda Conservation. Sponsored by Zhang's research center and the State Forestry Administration, the two-day event, which began on Oct 19, drew panda breeders and researchers from across the globe. It is the sixth time Zhang's center has released captive pandas into the wild, but it is the first time two pandas were released together.

Convention marks Long March anniversary

China held a convention to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Long March at the Great Hall of the People. President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the event. The Long March was a military maneuver carried out by the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army of the CPC from 1934 to 1936.

Green infrastucture issue on bank agenda

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on Oct 19 held the inaugural meeting of its International Advisory Panel, covering topics such as green infrastructure. The panel discussed the global economic situation and its implications for the bank's operations, the need to promote green infrastructure in the new global agenda and the importance of increasing private sector involvement in infrastructure in the region, the AIIB said in a statement.

Widened insurance better serves public

China's critical illness insurance system has run smoothly since its launch last year, and the central government plans to further promote it, despite facing challenges, Huang Hong, vice-president of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission, said at a news conference in Beijing on Oct 19. For the first nine months of this year, critical illness insurance payouts averaged 7,138 yuan ($1,060; 962 euros; 662) per patient, with the highest payout totaling about 1.12 million yuan, Huang said. In China, basic medical insurance offers little funding or protection, and critical illnesses can leave a family broke due to high treatment costs.

Court acts to protect honor of war heroes

China's Supreme People's Court on Oct 19 published five examples of lawsuits involving derogatory or humiliating comments about China's famous war heroes. Publishing these cases is intended to illustrate the essence of socialist core values and encourage the public to respect the country's heroes, learn from them and care for them, said Cheng Xinwen, a senior civil tribunal justice of the court.

Bloc urged to invest in emerging economies

Business leaders in the BRICS bloc should promote confidence and contribute to global growth through stepped-up investment in emerging economies, President Xi Jinping said on Oct 16. The economies of the five BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, whose leaders met in India - have slowed, due to the deep adjustments and challenges in the world economy, Xi said. Among the challenges cited by Xi were the rising threat of protectionism and growing anti-globalization sentiment. The BRICS countries' advantages and potential in resources, markets and labor remain unchanged, he said, adding that executives should take a leading role in joint implementation of major projects.

China, Uruguay to study trade pact

China and Uruguay have agreed to hold consultations on starting joint feasibility studies of a bilateral free trade agreement, diplomats confirmed. In a joint statement released after a meeting between President Xi Jinping and his visiting Uruguayan counterpart, Tabare Vazquez, the countries pledged commitment to "pushing forward free trade partnership building". Additionally, the leaders decided to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

Steps planned to boost regional economies

A series of major measures will be adopted in an effort to further revitalize the slowing economy in Northeast China, Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces and the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region,especially as the region's pillar industries are cutting production capacity and private investment has dropped. The measures were in two support documents, including the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) for Revitalizing Northeast China, approved by the central government on Oct 18 at the second meeting of the Leading Group for Revitalizing Northeast China and Other Old Industrial Bases.

New loans are fueled by boom in housing