China's industrial profits fell at a slower clip in November, official data showed on Friday, but the annual decline in earnings this year is expected to be the worst in over two decades due to persistently soft domestic consumption.

China's industrial profits extended their decline to a fourth straight month, dropping 7.3% in November from a year earlier.

China's industrial profits fell 7% year-on-year in November, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline. The contraction was smaller than October's 10% drop and September's nearly 27% plunge. UOB's Suan Teck Kin said China's industrial sector remains under pressure in a disinflationary environment but believes the worst may be over due to stimulus measures.

Beijing's approval of a controversial mega dam in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which flows from Tibet autonomous region into India, has sparked concerns about the environmental impact of the project,

The project has stoked concerns about displacement and environmental impact downstream in India and Bangladesh.

China is pressing ahead with plans to construct a mega-dam near its contested border with India, a colossal undertaking that could generate three times as much power as the Three Gorges Dam.

Taiwan aims to involve a range of people, including taxi drivers and security guards, to respond to emergencies.

China has sanctioned seven military industrial companies and related senior executives over U.S. arms assistance and sales to Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday. Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc.

China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington's approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan, which Beijing said infringed on its "sovereignty