Maritime officers aboard the China Coast Guard's Chuanshan vessel held a flag-raising ceremony in the waters around Huangyan Dao (Island) in the South China Sea on the first day of 2025.
And with the first sunrise of 2025, the national flag fluttered at waters in the South China Sea.
Law enforcers serving on the vessel said they will continue dedicating themselves to safeguarding China's maritime frontier.
"In the new year, I hope my family members are healthy and safe. I will continue improving my professional skills and fulfilling my duties. I will stand firm at our country's maritime frontier and contribute to the cause of the China Coast Guard," said Huang Zongliu, an officer on Chuanshan.
"In the new year, I wish my family good health and joy. For me, I will continue excelling in my work, enhancing my skills, and contributing to the development of China Coast Guard," said another officer Cao Ruijia.
China Coast Guard holds New Year's flag-raising ceremony in Huangyan Dao waters
Thousands of Venezuelan migrants have crossed into Brazil following U.S. military strikes in Caracas and other cities earlier this month, local officials said.
On Jan. 3, the U.S. government carried out military attacks on Caracas and other localities in Venezuela, forcibly taking away the presidential couple, resulting in 100 fatalities, according to the official tally.
Over the first 20 days in January, more than 5,000 Venezuelans have crossed into Brazil, according to local government data, as thousands seek safety and better opportunities amid ongoing crises at home.
Since the past decade, about 1.4 million Venezuelans have migrated to Brazil, with more than 70 percent entering through Roraima, whose northern border city of Pacaraima serves as a major gateway for migrants seeking better living conditions. Most arrivals are family units like parents with children or siblings, rarely traveling alone.
"I came with my three family members, they are my nephews. My brother has been in Brazil for a year, and he invited me here to get financially stable, which is what we're really looking for," said a Venezuelan migrant.
"I come from Zaraza, in the state of Guarico, Venezuela, after a journey of approximately two days and one night by bus. We have decided to migrate to a brotherly country like Brazil to pursue a better quality of life," said Jimmy Carapa, another Venezuelan migrant.
Antonio Denarium, the governor of Roraima, said the state has a border of over 2,000 kilometers, making it the second longest border state in Brazil. Following the U.S. military action against Venezuela, the state has been closely monitoring the situation to ensure security.
"Following recent military actions, we have reinforced our security forces on the border with Venezuela, including the military police, the civil police and the public security secretariat. Measures including identity recognition, facial recognition and license plate recognition have been carried out through the surveillance system. Everything at the border will be reported to the federal government, the Ministry of Defense and the president in a timely manner," said Denarium.
In 2018, the Brazilian government launched Operacao Acolhida (Operation Welcome), a humanitarian initiative to assist Venezuelan migrants at the border.
The operation provides registration assistance, CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica/Individual Tax Payer Registry) numbers, free vaccinations, temporary shelter and food aid.
"Previously, we were receiving around 300 to 350 people per day. Now, that number has dropped slightly to about 200, but we expect it to rise as normalcy returns. The Operation Welcome program is prepared for any increase in migrant flows," said Cintia Miranda, a coordinator of social protection and emergencies at the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger.
Thousands of Venezuelan migrants cross into Brazil after US strikes
Thousands of Venezuelan migrants cross into Brazil after US strikes
