Sep82017

Media invited to cover 19th CPC national congress

East Asia

Journalists from home and abroad are invited to cover the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), it was announced Thursday.

Applications for covering the congress can be submitted between Sept. 8 and 25, according to an official statement obtained by Xinhua.

Journalists from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas are required to submit applications via http://cpc19reg.zgjx.cn.

During the congress, a media center in Beijing will organize press conferences and arrange interviews for reporters. An official website and a WeChat account for the media center will also be available.

The 19th CPC National Congress is expected to start on Oct. 18 in Beijing.

Sep82017

China revises regulations on religious affairs

East Asia

The State Council, China’s cabinet, released revised regulations on religious affairs on Thursday.

The revisions protect freedom of religious belief, stipulating provision of public services for religious groups, schools and venues.

Religious communities can hold charity events in accordance with the law, while religious workers are entitled to social security rights, according to the revisions.

The new regulations highlight religious and social harmony, asking for mutual respect between believers and nonbelievers, as well as between believers of different religions.

Neither organizations nor individuals may incite conflict between different religions, within a religion or between believers and nonbelievers, the regulations read.

The revisions include management of religious affairs, covering supervision of religious property and online religious information services.

New problems have emerged in religious affairs due to changing situations at home and abroad, requiring the 2005 regulations to be revised, according to a statement issued by the State Council in September, 2016.

The revised regulations were passed by the State Council on June 14 and take effect on Feb. 1, 2018. Enditem

Sep82017

Press Releases: On the Occasion of the Day of Our Lady of Meritxell in Andorra

United States • Democrats • OECD – United States • Republicans • White House

Press Statement

Rex W. Tillerson

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

September 7, 2017

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, our best wishes to the people of Andorra as you celebrate Our Lady of Meritxell Day. The United States will continue to support the efforts of the Andorran people to advance democracy, human rights, and economic progress. We are proud of our relationship with Andorra and we look forward to working together for many years to come.



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Sep82017

Press Releases: Macedonia National Day

United States • Democrats • OECD – United States • Republicans • White House

Press Statement

Rex W. Tillerson

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

September 7, 2017

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I am pleased to extend our best wishes to the people of Macedonia as you mark 26 years of independence.

The United States is proud to be Macedonia’s friend and strategic partner. For 26 years, we have worked together in support of Macedonia’s aspirations of joining the EU and NATO. We applaud the actions the new government has taken to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles, respect for the rule of law, and regional cooperation. The United States will continue to support Macedonia’s efforts to implement the reforms needed to secure its place in the Euro-Atlantic family of nations.

We look forward to continued cooperation in the years ahead.



The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Sep82017

Press Releases: Angola’s General Elections

United States • Democrats • OECD – United States • Republicans • White House

Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 7, 2017

The United States congratulates the people of Angola for exercising their democratic right to vote in the August 23 historic national elections. We look forward to working with President-elect João Lourenço and the new Parliament of the Republic of Angola to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.

We commend the National Electoral Commission for administering an orderly, well-managed process. We also recognize the important role Angola’s political parties and civil society organizations played in these elections, and we welcome the statements by international and domestic observer missions affirming the credibility of the election. The concerns raised by some opposition parties and civil society groups about unequal access to media should be addressed ahead of future elections.

The United States stands by the people of Angola in their efforts to build strong, democratic, and inclusive institutions that are dedicated to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all Angolans.



The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.