President Xi's statement came after Chinese air force mounted four straight days of incursions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone from October 1, involving close to 150 aircraft, though those missions have since ended.
Pro-democracy candidates are almost absent from Hong Kong's first election since Beijing overhauled the city's electoral system to ensure that "only patriots" rule China's freest city.
Polls opened on Friday morning in the Far East regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka, which are nine hours ahead of Moscow. Voters will be able to cast ballots through Sunday.
Sun Dawu, an outspoken billionaire and grassroots rights supporter, gets 18 years in jail for a catalogue of crimes including "provoking trouble".
The prominent anti-Beijing activist is already serving a 13.5 month jail sentence for taking part in a protest during the 2019 unrest.
Beijing says anti-monopoly enforcement, especially in tech industries, is a priority for the country this year.
Demonstrators protest lack of proper government to deal with country's debilitating economic crisis.
PM Narendra Modi's right-wing BJP, accused of stoking religious polarisation and discriminating against minorities, faces stiff challenges in both West Bengal and Assam, two northeastern states with sizeable Muslim populations.
China's parliament votes to change Hong Kong's electoral system, including plans to grant Beijing veto powers over lawmaker candidates, reducing the number elected by the public.
Beijing will spend $210 billion on defence amid high government debt and coronavirus as ruling Communist Party sees economic growth of "over 6 percent" this year.
The BBC also came under renewed fire from Chinese officials after Britain’s media regulator concluded that China’s Communist Party was the ultimate editorial authority for CGTN.
Protesters are angry over Khadga Prasad Oli's decision to dissolve parliament and order new elections amid a feud within his governing party.
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