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by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS， Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of seven southern European states joined their voices here on Friday in a call for a new European vision for a stronger Europe to effectively address common challenges that lie ahead.
Ahead of the forthcoming informal European Council meeting scheduled for Sept. 16 in Bratislava on Europe's future， Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hosted the EU-Mediterranean summit in a first bid to reach common positions to tackle the economic crisis， the refugee-migrant flows， security issues， and other key problems the EU faces as a whole.
Leaders from France， Italy， Cyprus， Portugal， Malta， and Spain attended the one-day Athens mini- summit to exchange views.
The result of the dialogue was reflected in the Athens Declaration issued at the end of the meeting， which urged for concrete measures to build a better future for all Europeans.
Regarding economic policy， the Athens meeting called for emphasis to be put on growth， while the refugee crisis called for the effective management of the influx with a humane approach to sharing responsibilities.
Europe must respond to populism， xenophobia， nationalism， and racism， and ensure the internal and external security of Europe， it was stressed.
""The EU needs a new impulse in order to address the common challenges the member states are facing， upholding its values of freedom， democracy and rule of law， as well as tolerance and solidarity. This vision of Europe must be based on concrete measures that will contribute to the security of European citizens and improve their lives，"" the e-mailed declaration read.
""Regardless of our ideologies， what unites us is the Mediterranean Sea， our common problems， our faith in the European vision and our common will to fight for a better Europe，"" Tsipras said in his welcoming remarks broadcast live by the Greek national broadcaster ERT.
All leaders assured during televised joint statements to the press at the end of the meeting that the summit was not an effort to establish a southern European front to stand against the northern EU member states.
The aim was to enhance coordination and cooperation and introduce a Mediterranean perspective into the European Union's agenda to deal with joint challenges relating to migration， security and the economy， they explained.
""Today's summit and the Athens Declaration mark our common will to strengthen cohesion and unity of Europe ... We are not and we do not wish to become yet another initiative that divides Europe，"" Tsipras said during the joint press conference.
""At the time of Brexit， and while populism is on the rise in Europe， it is very important to send a message of cohesion and contribute to the dialogue from southern Europe，"" French President Francois Hollande stressed.
""The Athens Declaration is very important as added value in our description of a Europe which should be different than the one we have known so far，"" added Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
All leaders who participated in Friday's talks expressed the determination to continue the dialogue in the future. The next EU-Med meeting would be held in Portugal.
" A screen capture of a survey conducted by Sina Weibo on the removal of scenes showing cleavage in the TV dramaWu Zetian. As of 10:17 am on Jan 5 Rashard Higgins Limited Jersey , 2015, nearly 95 percent of viewers disapprove the move. The heroine's cleavage and the head of an actor were both cut in this shot. Screen shots after the show resumed broadcasting (below) and before it was taken off air (up). Screen shots after the show resumed broadcasting, left, and before it was taken off air, right.
Nearly 95% of Internet users in China disapprove the removal of scenes showing cleavage on screen in a Chinese television drama, calling the move "unnecessary".
The drama,The Empress of China, also known as theSaga of Wu Zetian, was removed from commercial satellite station Hunan TV for "technical reasons" in late December.
"Many viewers speculated the suspension was a punishment given by the country's television regulators for the much-discussed revealing costumes of female characters on the show, which stirred online debate in which the female characters were dubbed 'squeezed breasts'," Xinhua said.
When it returned to the screen in January, scenes showing female characters' cleavage were removed and replaced by close-up shots of the actresses' heads. This somewhat "magnified" version of faces on screen has sparked discontent among viewers.
In a survey conducted by Sina Weibo under the topic "Cleavage scenes cut, yes or no?" more than 95% of viewers voted "No" whereas only 5% voted "Yes".
Most netizens said the show is only a piece of work that showed the culture of China and these alterations are unnecessary. Some are calling for a rating system that restricts viewership to only those deemed appropriate.
What they say
Zhang Guogang, professor of history at Tsinghua University: "As we can see from the frescoes, even though hair was often tied up and necklines were low, it (cleavage in the Tang Dynasty) is not like how it's purposefully squeezed together in the television dramas."
Psychological counselor Xiao Xueping: Most of the reviewers are men and perhaps they envy the attractiveness of women’s secondary sexual characteristics, because theirs (referring to the Adam‘s apple) are relatively less so. The issue could have been solved by changing the times of broadcast and not completely removing the scenes.
Sina Weibo user PbrotherPublisher: "This is not just showing the beauty of the human body, but also the culture of the Tang Dynasty. Now the whole show is left with just heads. I can't see any of the sets or costumes. Very disappointing."
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