Chinese embassies, consulates hold National Day celebration events

China

Chinese embassies, consulates hold National Day celebration events

2024-09-25 22:29 Last Updated At：09-26 01:27

Chinese embassies and consulates across the world have been holding National Day receptions to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on Oct.1.

China’s Mission to ASEAN held a reception in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, to celebrate the National Day. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary-General, Sidharto Suryodipuro, director general for ASEAN Cooperation, ambassadors of various countries to ASEAN, representatives of regional think tanks and Chinese companies attended the reception.

In his speech, Kao praised China's development achievements and said he hoped that the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to reach new levels.

At the National Day reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia last Thursday, more than 1,500 people, including Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, attended the event and watched live performances of folk dances from the two countries and cultural shows staged by the embassy diplomats.

More than 1,200 Malaysians from all walks of life attended the reception event held by the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and sent their best wishes to China and the Chinese people.

"May I invite you to join me in a toast for the good health and wellbeing of His Excellency the President of the People's Republic of China, the success and prosperity of the government and the people of the People's Republic of China," said Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

At the celebration event held at the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles last Thursday, guests enjoyed intangible cultural heritage shows, delicious food and artistic performances.

"It is my honor and privilege to wish President Xi Jinping, the government, and the people of the People's Republic of China on this 75th anniversary. For seven and a half decades, China's development has been nothing short out of outstanding. China today is a key player on the world stage, not that it wants to dominate any other country, but it wants to share its expertise, its methods of development so that all countries can benefit from progress,” said Vincent Meriton, former Vice President of Seychelles.

The Chinese Embassy in Sweden held a reception event at the Stockholm Concert Hall on Sunday, with professional artists performing classical and popular Chinese and Swedish music.

"I think the Chinese market is so important to many of our members, so we are happy to see the strength of that and we of course like to strengthen that even further. If you look at the 75 years in the past, of course, China's development surpasses everything we have seen around the world, and especially, I would say, in the last 30 or 40 years, and it is so impressive. And I think what's fascinating about China is that every time you come to China, and even if you were there a year ago, things have moved forward," said Ulf Persson, chairman of the Sweden-China Trade Council.

Death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon reaches 2,020

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Saturday that Israeli strikes during the latest round of fighting have killed 2,020 people and wounded 6,436 others since hostilities escalated.

The ministry said the toll reflects cumulative casualties recorded across multiple regions amid continued Israeli airstrikes and cross-border exchanges of fire.

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Israeli forces engaged in close-range firefights with Hezbollah militants, striking multiple targets and killing several militants while seizing various weapons. In the past 24 hours, the IDF targeted over 200 Hezbollah sites within Lebanon and continued to target Hezbollah rocket launchers to prevent attacks against Israel.

Additionally, the IDF's Home Front Command has tightened public safety guidelines, suspending or limiting educational activities in border communities, Upper Galilee, and Haifa Bay, while also restricting the size of gatherings in those areas.

Hezbollah, in its statement, claimed that its operations in southern Lebanon continued, attacking Israeli tanks and personnel. The group also targeted Israeli military infrastructure, soldiers, and vehicles in northern Israel.

The escalation followed renewed hostilities involving Hezbollah, which said it launched rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire on Nov. 27, 2024. The exchange prompted Israel to expand its military campaign across Lebanon.

Lebanon has since been hit by sustained strikes in several areas, with fighting spreading beyond border regions into other parts of the country.

Iran and the United States agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday. Israel said it would abide by the truce but argued the agreement does not apply to Lebanon. That assertion was rejected by Iran and by mediator Pakistan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that the disarmament of Hezbollah is a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.

In a video statement, he said Lebanon had approached Israel several times over the past month seeking to begin direct talks following Israeli military actions.

"I approved this, subject to two conditions: we want to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah, and we want a real peace agreement that will last for generations," Netanyahu said.