Some residents in Gaza City questioned the need and real purpose of building a temporary maritime pier by the United States, which claimed it is for facilitating aid delivery.
The United States announced last Friday that trucks carrying humanitarian aid had reached the coast of the Gaza Strip through the floating maritime port it had constructed.
On Sunday, vessels transporting aid supplies in the distance could be seen from the seaside of Gaza Port. According to U.S. estimates, the floating pier's initial shipping capacity is expected to be 90 tons per day, and will later reach 150 tons.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories under the Israeli Defense Ministry said on the May 19 that approximately 160,000 liters of fuel and hundreds of pallets of humanitarian aid were transported to the Gaza Strip through the pier last week.
In this regard, the United Nations and relevant aid agencies said that the process of transporting humanitarian aid through a floating pier is cumbersome, and the transportation volume is far from meeting the needs of the Gaza Strip. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General, stressed last week that maritime corridor is by no means the most feasible and effective solution to aid delivery and all land crossing points must be opened to address the acute need of the people.
Some local people also questioned the role of the temporary pier built by the United States.
"When they (the United States) announced their intention to build a pier, they claimed that its purpose is to provide supplies to the Gaza Strip. But if we look at the actual situation, we can find that land ports are fully capable of allowing the passage of trucks with full load of cargo. If the land ports are fully operational, they can meet the needs of the people here," said a local resident Abdul Razak Abu Aisha.
"Land ports and terminals could have operated normally. Why not open the land terminals and build another good pier? We (Palestinians) have been under occupation for 76 years. When will it end?" said Nabil Al-Sharafa, another resident.
Gazan people question real purpose of US-built float pier for "aid delivery"
Gazan people question real purpose of US-built float pier for "aid delivery"
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
