China's top political advisor Wang Huning has stressed the importance of building a broad united front to rally support from all groups in deepening reform and promoting Chinese modernization.
Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks during an inspection tour in the southern island province of Hainan from Wednesday to Friday.
Wang went to Haikou, Qionghai and Sanya, where he conducted in-depth research on comprehensive passenger transport hubs, universities and middle schools, enterprises invested by compatriots from Taiwan, village of Li ethnic minority, scientific research institutions, historical and cultural districts and religious sites.
He also learned about the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, saying this is a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee and a major task for Hainan to comprehensively deepen reform and opening-up.
When visiting enterprises invested by compatriots from Taiwan, Wang said it's important to create conditions and build platforms to deepen integrated development across the Taiwan Straits and promote economic and cultural exchanges across the Straits.
Wang urged measures to better meet the demands of compatriots from Taiwan regarding study, employment, and business operations in Hainan, thus promoting integrated development across the Taiwan Strait.
As of the end of 2023, Hainan had approved the establishment of more than 2,500 enterprises invested by Taiwan compatriots. In November 2023, the province announced a series of measures to encourage Taiwan compatriots to make investments or start businesses in the Hainan Free Trade Port.
China's top political advisor stresses united front in Chinese modernization
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
