Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Wang Dongming attended here the inauguration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the invitation of the Venezuelan government on Friday.
Maduro met with Wang, also vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, at the presidential palace after the inauguration.
Wang conveyed cordial greetings and good wishes from Xi to Maduro and congratulated him on his re-election as president of Venezuela.
Wang said that in September 2023, Xi and Maduro jointly announced the elevation of China-Venezuela relations to an all-weather strategic partnership, leading bilateral relations into a new era.
Last year, the two sides solemnly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, and the friendship between the two countries has been more deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples, Wang said.
China is willing to work with Venezuela to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate and develop the traditional friendship, and push forward bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples, Wang said.
Maduro asked Wang to convey his highest respect and sincere greetings to Xi, and extended his gratitude to Xi for sending a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony of his new term.
Venezuela attaches great importance to developing China-Venezuela all-weather strategic partnership, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, Maduro said, adding that Venezuela stands ready to join hands with China to advance practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen the exchange of governance experience, and lift bilateral ties to a new level.
A powerful earthquake jolted Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on the morning of January 7. The rapid response was impressive. Within 10 minutes of the quake, rescue planes were in the sky; in less than half an hour, rescue operations were carried out in the epicenter area. On the first night after the earthquake, affected people were moved to tents and provided with hot meals.
Global Times reporters ventured into the heart of the earthquake-stricken area, engaging with people who experienced the devastating quake firsthand. They recounted moments of resilience, the swift arrival of rescue teams, and the community's determination to rebuild both their lives and their surroundings.
This story is part of the Global Times' series "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic moments. From scholars, politicians, and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historic moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present. In the wake of the January 7 earthquake that struck Dingri county, Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, four veterans came together, displaying the unity and spirit of the Chinese PLA soldiers.
When the quake occurred, Tsering Gyatso, who runs a restaurant in his hometown county of Gyangze, was cooking and felt a slightly tremor. When he realized it was an earthquake, he quickly contacted his veteran fellows in the county.
Without hesitation, the four veterans, including Tsering Gyatso, Tsering Wangyel, Palbar Tashi, and Puchong Dawa, set out for the disaster-stricken areas in Dingri immediately. Carrying only light backpacks, the four avoided adding strain to relief operations by hitching rides with rescue teams. Upon arrival, they quickly started to work, helping set up tents and transport essential supplies to those in need. Their military training shone through as they adapted to the situation in a short time, embodying the spirit of "ready for the fight, capable of combat."
By January 8, the group moved on to Mangpu township in Lhaze county, where volunteers were sparse. There, they assisted local officials in salvaging important documents from damaged government buildings, erecting tents, and distributing relief materials.
Tsering Gyatso told the Global Times how rapid road and power restoration had significantly supported relief efforts. He said that these advancements were a testament to years of steady development in the region. "The supplies were delivered to the people in the disaster-stricken areas in a timely manner," he said.
Amid the chaos, stories of resilience emerged. A local police officer named Lhundrup, who lost his two children in the earthquake, continued to work tirelessly to help others. Similarly, a village leader in Tsogo township, despite having lost his mother to the disaster, remained steadfast in ensuring his community's needs were met.
These individuals, Tsering Gyatso remarked, exemplified the strength and perseverance that inspired the retired soldiers to push forward.
When asked about their motivations, Tsering Gyatso said, "As veterans and Party members, it's our duty to help. Actions speak louder than words, especially in times of crisis."
After an incident involving Hong Kong residents suspected of being imprisoned in Southeast Asia to participate in illegal work, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the Security Bureau has dispatched a task force to Thailand to discuss with relevant authorities how to jointly investigate and assist Hong Kong residents in need of rescue, according to RTHK, one of Hong Kong's major broadcasters.
Hong Kong law enforcement had received 28 requests for help from residents believed to have been trapped in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave since the second quarter of 2024, the Security Bureau said. Sixteen people had returned to the city so far. The task force aims to help bring back the rest residents lured to Southeast Asian countries and forced into illegal work, according to South China Morning Post.
Lee said that the HKSAR government attaches great importance to the 12 Hong Kong residents who were imprisoned in Southeast Asia and forced to engage in illegal work, and that the government will spare no effort in dealing with the issue. He also noted that Thai authorities value the visit of the task force from the Security Bureau, said the report.
On Tuesday morning, the task force, headed by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, engaged in discussions with the Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police Tatchai Pitaneelaboot and members from departments involved in crime prevention from the Thai police headquarters for over three hours, according to a Hong Kong-based media outlet.
They then went to local tourist police bureaus to receive a briefing on their work and met with representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to learn about measures to protect tourists, said the report.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung emphasized on Monday that the ultimate goal of the HKSAR government is to assist all relevant residents to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible, as reported by Hong Kong media outlets.
The Royal Thai Police announced on Sunday that the country has established a Tourist Safety Operations Center (TCOC) to comprehensively coordinate police forces and tourism police across the nation and work together to create a systematic tourist safety management system.
A mobile application called Thailand Tourist Police has also been launched by the Royal Thai Police, allowing tourists to directly send messages, images, and their location to police as well as inquire about information, report emergencies, or seek assistance. Additionally, the application is seamlessly integrated with an emergency hotline thereby providing 24-hour translation services in eight languages and supporting collaboration with the emergency response center to handle urgent incidents.
Thai authorities are taking this matter seriously and handling it comprehensively, said Lee, adding that they will consider all available methods in this regard, according to the report.
Ukrainian media the New Voice of Ukraine, citing a report by French air defense industry site Avions Legendaires, stated on Sunday that Ukraine's Air Force is set to receive its first three Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets from France in January.
The first three jets could arrive by January 20, 2025, with some sources even speculating they are already in Ukraine and are being used for training flights. Around 10 aircraft of this type are expected to be delivered, according to the New Voice of Ukraine.
Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets could enhance Ukraine's ground attack capabilities but will have limited effectiveness in air combat, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times. He said the aircraft is equipped with modern avionics and radar systems, and is capable of carrying SCALP-EG stealth cruise missiles and Hammer precision-guided bombs.
However, Western supplies of fighter jets and missiles are still falling short of Ukraine's needs, Zhang noted, adding that diverse weapon systems from multiple countries strain Ukraine's logistics, as different jets require specific parts and maintenance expertise.
Sun Xiuwen, an associate professor at the Institute for Central Asian Studies at Lanzhou University, shares the same view. Sun said that while Western aid has strengthened Ukraine's combat capabilities, issues with quantity, logistics and training limit its overall effectiveness, making it difficult to decisively change the course of the conflict.
Western states are tiring in their support for Ukraine and increasingly hoping for some form of conflict resolution, Finland's foreign minister warned previously, according to a Financial Times report in October 2024.
Sun noted that public support for long-term aid in Europe is waning, potentially weighing on future assistance, and a new US government would also bring significant uncertainty.
US President-elect Donald Trump previously said it was "stupid" for Biden to let Ukraine use American long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory, according to AP news on December 16, 2024.
Trump also said that Ukraine should "probably" prepare to receive less aid from the US, according to an interview with NBC on December 8, 2024.
Ukraine has launched a fresh offensive in Russia's Kursk region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Officials in Ukraine have also suggested an operation is under way, BBC reported on Sunday.
Russian units have repelled two Ukrainian counterattacks over 24 hours in the borderline Kursk Region, the TASS reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.
A total of 95 people have been confirmed dead and 130 others injured as of 3 pm Tuesday, after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region at 9:05 am Tuesday (Beijing Time), Xinhua reported.
The epicenter was monitored at 28.5 degrees north latitude and 87.45 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, according to a report issued by the China Earthquake Networks Center.
The local government of Xigaze held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, which began with a moment of silence for the victims.
The Global Times learned from the Xizang Military Command's Xigaze Military Sub-command that rescue teams have been mobilized to head toward the epicenter. Videos from the scene show significant damage to the roads leading to the epicenter, and buildings along the route showing varying levels of damage. The sub-command is rapidly deploying personnel to the affected area to participate in rescue efforts.
As of 11:25 am Tuesday, a regiment of 160 personnel from the sub-command has reached Jijiao Bridge in Dinggye county, while a company of 40 personnel has been dispatched to areas near Dingri Airport.
The Global Times also learned from the Xizang Military Command that at 1:00 pm, the General Hospital affiliated to the Command dispatched 50 medical personnel to the earthquake-stricken area in Xigaze.
By 1:15 pm, the second batch of rescue forces from the Xigaze Military Sub-command, totaling over 680 personnel, had been deployed to three directions — Dingri, Lazi, and Sa'gya—to assist in the rescue efforts in nearby towns and villages, working tirelessly to protect people's lives and property.
Video footage from the scene showed a regiment from the Xigaze Military Sub-command rescuing a child from the rubble and providing emergency medical assistance.
The Global Times learned from the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force Xizang Contingent that following the earthquake, they responded swiftly and urgently. As of 12:30 pm on Tuesday, 389 officers and soldiers had been dispatched, carrying with them various rescue equipment. They rushed to the severely affected areas to participate in rescue operations. Videos from the scene show that they have successfully rescued multiple individuals from the collapsed buildings. Currently, the rescue efforts are still ongoing.
The air force of the PLA Western Theater Command quickly activated its emergency disaster relief plan and dispatched a drone to assess the situation at the epicenter. At the same time, multiple transport aircraft, medical planes, helicopters, and ground forces from the Western Theater Command Air Force have been assembled and are on standby, according to Xinhua.
At around 2 pm on Tuesday, the air force of the PLA Western Theater Command dispatched a Y-20 aircraft sending the forward command post of the Western Theater Command to the disaster-stricken area in Dingri. The aircraft has taken off from a military airfield in Chengdu, and will arrive at airport in Dingri this afternoon, according to the PLA media China Bugle.
China's National Disaster Reduction Commission and the Ministry of Emergency Management have activated the national level-II emergency response for disaster relief. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief, along with the Ministry of Emergency Management, provided over 130,000 relief supplies to the disaster-stricken area in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, including heaters, electric blankets, and emergency food, to ensure the basic living needs of the affected population are met. Earlier on Tuesday, the two departments had allocated 22,000 pieces of national disaster relief supplies to the area, according to CCTV News.
China and the Republic of the Congo have committed to establishing a model for an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Brazzaville on Tuesday during a visit to Brazzaville, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks after meeting with the President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Stressing that China and the Republic of the Congo have reached a broad consensus on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership and deepening China-Africa cooperation, Wang said that both sides agreed to continue solidifying their strong and unwavering friendship and to stand firmly together on issues concerning each other's core interests such as sovereignty, security and development.
Wang noted that both sides also agreed to lead the way in fostering China-Africa friendship. Following the important consensus reached by the state leaders, the two countries will expedite the development of a high-level China-Congo community with a shared future, setting an example for the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, according to Wang.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Co-chairing the forum, both sides will prioritize the “10 partnership action plans” and collaborate to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, as well as jointly plan the "timetable" and "roadmap" for the forum's development over the next three years, said Wang.
Both sides agree to continue upholding international fairness and justice. China appreciates the unique role played by the Republic of the Congo in international affairs. China is ready to closely cooperate with the Republic of the Congo to support Africa in achieving peace and stability. They support Africa in addressing "climate injustice," advocate for a balanced and equitable multipolar world, and promote inclusive economic globalization, working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) said that the number of aged care meal assistance centers nationwide reached 75,000 in 2024. In 2025, the country intends to introduce a professional qualification framework for aged care workers to enhance the skills of those working in the sector.
At a national conference on civil affairs held in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday, Minister of Civil Affairs Lu Zhiyuan said that in 2024, notable advancements were achieved in aged care services and welfare. The central government allocated 300 million yuan ($41.1 million) in allocated funds to support the development of senior meal assistance programs in various regions.
Developing aged care meal assistance services is a key element of China's strategy to actively address population aging. It is also a major public welfare project aimed at supporting home- and community-based aged care and improving the wellbeing of elderly adults.
In October 2023, the MCA and 11 other departments jointly issued an action plan to promote the development of meal services for seniors. Since the issuance of this action plan, the MCA has provided guidance to local civil affairs departments to refine policies based on local conditions, explore effective models for meal assistance, and consistently enhance service coverage and quality.
Lu said that as of the end of October 2024, there were 75,000 aged care meal assistance centers nationwide. Provinces such as Hebei, Zhejiang, and Shandong each had over 6,000 centers, greatly improving access to meal assistance services for seniors.
Lu also said that nationwide civil affairs departments had initiated measures to enhance fundamental home- and community-based aged care services. These efforts included the construction of 358,000 family aged care beds and the provision of 668,000 in-home care services.
By the end of October 2024, the number of aged care institutions and facilities had grown to 404,000, with nursing care beds accounting for 62.2 percent of the total, surpassing the targets outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).
Looking ahead to 2025, Lu said that the MCA will promote legislative advancements in aged care services, refine the spatial distribution of aged care facilities, and strengthen the three-tier aged care service network at the county (district), township (subdistrict), and village (community) levels.
Efforts will also prioritize the sustainable and robust growth of aged care meal assistance services by formulating supportive policies, fostering large-scale, chain-operated, and branded aged care service providers, and expanding the supply of affordable aged care services, said Lu.
Additionally, the MCA plans to bolster the professional workforce in aged care, implement the aged care professional qualification system, and reinforce discipline, behavior standards, and ethical practices among aged care workers.
Efforts will also expedite the creation of mechanisms to execute the national strategy for addressing population aging, and deepen the reform and development of aged care in the new era. These initiatives aim to ensure the well-being, societal contribution, and rights of senior citizens are fully safeguarded, Lu said.
China is stepping up aged care initiatives as the country addresses the complexities of an aging population. Official statistics show that 297 million Chinese people were aged 60 or above by the end of 2023, accounting for 21.1 percent of the total population, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The conference also said that the MCA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, provided one-time living allowances to certain disadvantaged groups, according to CCTV News.
As of the end of October 2024, aid was delivered 709,000 times to homeless, vagrant, and other temporarily distressed individuals. A three-year initiative to improve the quality of care services for left-behind and disadvantaged children in rural areas, as well as a care and protection program for migrant children, has been launched.
As of the end of November 2024, the two subsidy programs for persons with disabilities benefited 11.93 million disadvantaged individuals with disabilities and 16.19 million people with severe disabilities.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) completed five engine tests on Thursday in Beijing and Laiyuan, North China's Hebei Province, providing a solid foundation for the smooth implementation of this year's major aerospace projects, Science and Technology Daily reported on Friday.
The test run is a vital step in the rocket engine development process, consisting of dozens of different types of missions, and will be carried out throughout various stages before and after the development of the engine, according to the report.
An upper-stage hydrogen-oxygen engine ignited at 11:21 am Thursday at the 101 Institute of the Sixth Academy of CASC, operating for about 100 seconds followed by a regular power-off. This signifies that this new type of engine smoothly completed the ground calibration test run before delivery, said the report.
Xia Wei, a professional from CASC, told CCTV News that the test assessed the overall coordination and obtained performance parameters of the engine, after analysis of the data, the test was deemed a great success.
Three other tests were also conducted, involving the rocket's main propulsion engine, upper-stage engine, and attitude-orbit control engine. In addition to the above-mentioned trial, a liquid-oxygen methane engine test run was also performed on a vertical dual-station test stand of the high-thrust hydrogen-oxygen rocket engine located in Laiyuan.
All of the above-mentioned tests met with remarkable success, making it possible to achieve five test runs in a single day, said the report.
Xia said in 2025, they will conduct research and testing of multiple engines for deep space exploration, heavy rockets, and other types of engines, contributing to the smooth implementation of China's major space projects, according to CCTV news.
Responding to US claims that Hong Kong's bounties on some activists overseas constitute "transnational repression," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Friday that the so-called "pro-democracy activists" fled overseas to engage in activities to undermine China and disrupt Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Their actions interfere with Hong Kong's development and stability, endanger national security, harm China's core interests, and challenge the foundation of "one country, two systems."
Mao emphasized that the Hong Kong police's law enforcement under the National Security Law is a legitimate move to uphold the rule of law and address public concerns, a necessary measure to defend China's national sovereignty and security, as well as a legitimate action to ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. The extraterritorial application of the Law on Safeguarding National Security is in strict compliance with international law and the common practices of countries and regions across the world.
Mao added that the US misuses the concept of "national security" to impose illegal extraterritorial jurisdiction, and baselessly criticizes Hong Kong police's law enforcement, undermining the rule of law and revealing its own hypocrisy and double standards.
China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, Mao said, reiterating that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal matters.
She urged the US to respect China's sovereignty and Hong Kong's rule of law and to cease supporting anti-China and anti-Hong Kong personnel.
