The Lebanese government held a memorial ceremony in Beirut on Thursday to mourn the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials who died in the May 19 helicopter crash.
Attendees at the memorial service called Raisi's death a huge loss to Iran and the world, vowing that relations between the Hezbollah group and Iran will remain solid despite the tragic incident.
"It is a huge loss. The relationship between Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran is stable and solid, as solid as the mountains, unaffected by any variable," Ibrahim Al Moussawi, an Hezbollah official and member of the Lebanese parliament, said in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).
"We lost the President of the Islamic Republic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and [other] leaders, but we will continue [with our bilateral ties]. This is the basic lesson in the history of this nation and this resistance -- that people have a great influence. And their departure increases determination, faith, and strength," said Hussein Hajj Hassan, Lebanon's minister of industry.
"[The death of] Dr. Ibrahim Raisi is the loss of the world -- not just the Islamic Republic of Iran -- the vulnerable world and even the whole world at all levels and many ideals. The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to support the oppressed people at the level of all countries of the world," said Ali Hamieh, the Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport.
Raisi, along with Amir-Abdollahian and several other officials, was killed when his helicopter went down in a fog-shrouded mountainside in Iran's northwest near the Azerbaijan border on Sunday, according to the country's state media.
The General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces has launched an investigation into the crash.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced on Monday five days of public mourning.
Lebanese gov't holds memorial ceremony for Iran's late President
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
