Xi, Scholz reach consensus on Ukraine crisis, Palestine-Israel conflict: spokesman

Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reached a series of consensuses on the ongoing Ukraine crisis and Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian on Tuesday.

At a meeting held in Beijing earlier in the day, the two leaders exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concerns, according to the spokesman.

"Regarding the Ukrainian crisis, China and Germany are committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, which includes safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is the necessary foundation for a sustainable security architecture and should be respected. China and Germany encourage and support efforts to seek a political solution to reach peace in Ukraine, and are willing to continue to maintain close and active communication on holding a high-level meeting in Switzerland, as well as other relevant international peace conferences in the future," Lin said at a press conference in Beijing.

"China and Germany jointly call for opposing the use or threatening to use nuclear weapons, opposing attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants, properly solving international food security issues, making contributions to ensuring world food security and not hindering food production and exports, abiding by international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, mutually releasing prisoners of war as soon as possible and respecting for the basic rights of prisoners of war," Lin told the press conference.

"On the issue of the Palestine-Israel conflict, China and Germany are concerned about the still severe humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the risk of further escalation of the regional situation. China and Germany jointly call for ensuring barrier-free and sustainable humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, supporting the coordination role of the United Nations and its Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in humanitarian relief, implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728, implementing the two-state solution which China and Germany consider as the only option to achieve lasting security and peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, jointly safeguarding commercial navigation in accordance with international law, especially in the waters of the Red Sea," said the spokesman.

Scholz is on a three-day visit to China starting on Sunday, which has also taken him to Chongqing City in southwest China and the financial hub of Shanghai.

Xi, Scholz reach consensus on Ukraine crisis, Palestine-Israel conflict: spokesman

Xi, Scholz reach consensus on Ukraine crisis, Palestine-Israel conflict: spokesman

The Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday brought unexpected joy to travelers at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport with a spontaneous musical performance.

The impromptu concert was staged by musicians who were on a trip to Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province for a performance scheduled for the Labor Day holiday, which runs from May 1 till May 5.

In the bustling airport terminal, they performed Western classics such as "Peer Gynt Suites," "The Nutcracker" excerpt "Waltz of the Flowers," and also Chinese symphonic works "My People, My Country" and "My Beautiful Hometown."

The enchanting melodies enthralled travelers from home and abroad, as they took a moment to capture the scenes on their mobile phones.

"Hearing someone nearby singing along made me feel so happy and touched," one spectator remarked.

"It's a very nice atmosphere. Nice, interesting city, yes," said a traveler from Bulgaria.

"Before returning to Russia from China, hearing music by our composer Tchaikovsky was a pleasant surprise," said a Russian traveler.

Having ventured beyond the concert hall, the orchestra has brought classical music to public spaces across Shanghai.

"We want people to experience beautiful music not only in concert halls and cultural spaces but also in many public spaces of Shanghai, including ports, docks, and commercial districts," said Zhang Liang, vice president and resident conductor of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra.

Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra surprises travelers with impromptu airport concert