IN BRIEF (Page 12)

China

US accusation groundless: FM

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that China is willing to cooperate with the US against labor and sex trafficking but resolutely opposes a groundless accusation by the US. Hua made the remarks in response to the Annual US State Department report, which labeled China as among the world's worst offenders in fighting labor and sex trafficking. Hua said China has made concrete efforts against the crime through legislation, protection of the victims' rights and cooperation with other countries, especially neighboring ones. "We have gained significant achievements," said Hua.

Brunei

Field drill ends successfully

The field exercise part of the first ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise concluded on Thursday in Brunei. During an inspection tour, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said he was "impressed" by the joint exercise involving 18 countries, and the Chinese military's performance. Officials and observers said the exercise helped participants to improve trust and coordination.

India

1,000 feared dead in floods

India's military battled on Thursday to reach villages and towns cut off by flash floods and landslides in the country's north as officials warned that at least 1,000 people may have been killed.

China Daily-Reuters

(China Daily 06/21/2013 page12)