China dedicated to improving rural transport infrastructure in developing countries: white paper

China has shared its development experience and helped construct rural road infrastructure in other developing countries over the years, contributing substantially to poverty reduction, people's wellbeing and sustainable global development, said a white paper issued on Friday. China has made great efforts in standardization and promoted innovative, cooperative, green and open development powered by standards, according to the white paper titled "China's Rural Roads in the New Era" issued by the State Council Information Office.

These efforts include providing technical standards for highway engineering suited to different national conditions, according to the white paper.

China's highway standards have been applied in hundreds of projects in dozens of countries around the world, including Indonesia's Surabaya-Madura Bridge Project and Mozambique's Maputo-Katembe Bridge Project, according to the white paper.

China has also played an active role in building new platforms and mechanisms for global transport cooperation and in promoting knowledge and experience sharing.

For instance, the country has established the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center as a platform for cooperation and exchanges and for sharing China's experience in rural road development with the international community, the white paper said.

China has also shared its experience through international training sessions. The country has held 28 training sessions, including a training program on road design and management in Botswana, and an advanced training program on highway engineering for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, the white paper said.

Additionally, China has supported and participated in rural road construction projects, and provided aid and assistance to a large number of rural road infrastructure projects in other developing countries.

Since 2018, China has supported 24 developing countries including Cambodia, Serbia, Rwanda, Namibia, Vanuatu and Niger in highway and bridge construction and maintenance, helping such countries improve transport infrastructure, according to the white paper.

China dedicated to improving rural transport infrastructure in developing countries: white paper

Thousands of people took to the streets in dozens of protests across Greece on Saturday to voice their opposition to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The demonstrations were organized by a range of groups, including left-wing political parties, student associations, labor unions, migrant community organizations and non-governmental organizations, as the conflict has entered its second month.

In Athens, the main rally began outside the parliament building and marched to the U.S. Embassy. Protesters called for an immediate end to the conflict, urging Greece to stay out of the war and prioritize public spending on health and education over defense.

Holding up banners reading "No interference in Iran's affairs", "No war, return peace to the people" and "No deployment of Greek troops to the Middle East", and the flags of Iran, Lebanon and Palestine, protesters chanted slogans against the war to protest against the military actions of the United States and Israel against Iran, as well as Israel's moves towards Palestine and Lebanon.

"We're here to protest against the war, to protest against what the U.S. and Israel are doing in the whole west Asian area. Of course, it (the military operation) is against international law," said Torres, a protester.

The month-long U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has resulted in heavy casualties on all sides. Iranian deaths are estimated at over 1,900, with over 24,800 injured, while at least 19 Israeli and 13 U.S. military fatalities have been reported.

As the war drags on, it is sending shockwaves across the geopolitical and economic landscape, driving up oil prices, rattling international markets, and weighing on the global economy.

Thousands protest across Greece against war in Iran