China stands ready to work with the rest of the world to tackle development difficulties and foster new growth drivers, so as to achieve shared development and prosperity in the process of building a community with a shared future for mankind, said Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Beijing on Friday.
Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with foreign representatives attending the second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development that was held in Beijing on Friday.
Ding said the China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) has gained extensive support and positive response globally.
Thanks to the concerted efforts of all parties, the GDI cooperation has achieved a series of important outcomes over the past three years, according to Ding.
Ding expressed China's willingness to work with other countries to resolve global development challenges, foster new development momentum, and promote open development, thus achieving shared development and prosperity in the process of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The foreign representatives extended congratulations on China's success in hosting the meeting.
They spoke highly of China's role in leading shared development across the globe, adding that they are willing to work together to push for solid progress of the GDI and provide important impetus for accelerating the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Chinese vice premier calls for combined efforts to push for shared development
Chinese vice premier calls for combined efforts to push for shared development
Multiple handheld pager explosions struck Beirut and the southeastern and northeastern regions of Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to a temporary internet shutdown in the southern suburbs of the capital city, according to China Media Group (CMG) reporter Ci Xiaoning.
"I am currently at the entrance of a major hospital in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Around 15:30 today, there were several explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. My Lebanese colleague, who lives very close to the area, experienced an immediate loss of internet connectivity. Reports have since confirmed that many handheld pagers were involved in the explosions," Ci reported outside a hospital in Beruit.
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and about 2,800 injuries, with approximately 200 people in critical condition. The injured are being transferred to hospitals.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."
In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate.
The Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Israel has yet to comment on Tuesday's blasts. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to address the implications of the explosions.
CMG reporter says internet shutdown following deadly pager blasts in Lebanon
