China's southernmost city of Sansha holds national flag-raising ceremony

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠China's southernmost city Sansha in Hainan Province held a national flag-raising ceremony on islands, reefs, and ships on Tuesday, in order to celebrate the country's National Day.

On Yongxing Island, part of Sansha City, armed police officers and soldiers marched in step and escorted the Five-starred Red Flag towards the flagpole to hold a solemn flag-raising ceremony, as Tuesday marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

At 7:24 local time, people lined up in an orderly manner for the flag-raising ceremony on the National Day.

"Being able to raise the five-starred red flag with my own hands on this special day has further strengthened my determination and will to guard the southern gate of our motherland," said Wu Minjie, the flag bearer.

"My emotions are indescribable. With excited mood, I hope that Sansha City can be built even better in the future," said Chen Chenghua, veteran of the Battle of the Xisha Islands.

"As a young police officer of the new era, I will follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, work hard, and selflessly dedicate myself to safeguarding the security of our motherland. May our great motherland prosper forever," said Li Jiawei, police officer of Sansha Public Security Bureau.

After the flag-raising ceremony on Yongxing Island in Sansha City, a flash mob choir was organized, where everyone could voice their best wishes for the motherland.

The ceremony also took place on the Yongle Islands of the Xisha Islands on the National Day.

"On this special day, I wish our country prosperity and wish the people peace and happiness," Said Jiang Yutao, staff member of Yongle Working Committee in Sansha City.

A flag-raising ceremony was also held on various islands and reefs, such as Zhaoshu Island, Jinqing Island, and Meiji Reef in Sansha City, as well as on the law enforcement ship "Sansha Zhifa 301" and China's fishery administration vessel "Yuzheng 306" -- which are cruising and patrolling the waters of Sansha.

"May the motherland prosper and the people stay happy and healthy," said Xiang Guoxiang, captain of "Sansha Zhifa 301".

China's southernmost city of Sansha holds national flag-raising ceremony

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of their ceasefire that took effect last month, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department said Friday.

"The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said on X.

Israel and Lebanon will resume political negotiations at the U.S. State Department on June 2-3, while their military delegates are set to launch parallel security talks at the Pentagon on May 29, Piggott said.

The two countries held their third round of direct talks in Washington D.C. on Thursday and Friday, which Piggott described as "highly-productive."

Despite the ceasefire, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon have continued. Israeli strikes killed at least nine people and wounded dozens in southern Lebanon on Friday, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.

Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli drones, troops, military bulldozers, and a Merkava tank in several areas of southern Lebanon.

Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said that Israeli attacks between March 2 and May 15 killed 2,951 people and wounded 8,988 others.

Israel, Lebanon to extend ceasefire for 45 days: U.S. State Department