Chinese envoy calls for all necessary actions to achieve ceasefire in Gaza

China supports the UN Security Council in fulfilling its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and in taking all necessary actions to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian disaster, and implement the two-State solution, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations said on Friday.

Protecting the safety of medical facilities in armed conflict is a bottom line under international humanitarian law, Fu said at the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, following last week's attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only remaining comprehensive medical service institution in northern Gaza.

The Israeli forces launched an attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, forcibly detaining medical and care personnel, causing the deaths of a large number of people, and plunging the hospital into a sea of fire, according to Fu.

Without sufficient evidence proving that medical facilities have become hostile facilities, deliberately launching large-scale and indiscriminate attacks against medical institutions that cause casualties of innocent civilians violates international humanitarian law and could constitute war crimes, said the Chinese envoy.

China expresses its grave concerns over and strong opposition to this, he said, urging Israel to effectively abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, stop turning hospitals into battlefields, stop launching attacks on medical facilities, ensure the safety of medical institutions and personnel, and release all medical personnel detained. 

"A certain country repeatedly claims that a ceasefire agreement will soon be reached, yet the reality is continued killing and death. I wish to stress that differences in negotiations should be bridged by political will but not be filled with innocent lives. Winning the war does not necessarily mean securing peace, and resorting only to military strength does not guarantee lasting security," Fu said.

China calls on Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian access to Gaza, stop implementing and revoke promptly the bills against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and guarantee safety and facilitation for UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies to carry out their assistance, he said.

Chinese envoy calls for all necessary actions to achieve ceasefire in Gaza

Chinese envoy calls for all necessary actions to achieve ceasefire in Gaza

Regions in east and north China are redoubling preparedness for Typhoon Bavi, the ninth storm of the year, as it threatens to lash large swaths of the country with heavy rain and gales.

Starting at 09:00 Friday, Shanghai's Yangshan Port, the world's busiest container port and a critical hub in global trade, completely suspended the entry of vessels.

As the last vessel operating in the port departed the harbor area, over 100 gantry cranes at Yangshan Port raised their booms to reduce wind resistance, and all terminals simultaneously switched to a closed-off control mode with zero vessels, vehicles, and personnel.

In accordance with the unified typhoon preparedness plan, operations for delivering and picking up empty and loaded containers were suspended starting at 08:00 and 10:00 respectively on Saturday.

According to weather forecasts, Huangshan City in east China's Anhui Province will experience heavy rain due to Bavi. Cumulative rainfall is expected to reach 130 to 200 millimeters, with certain areas potentially receiving 350 millimeters or more.

On Friday afternoon, the Anhui provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters activated a Level IV emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention in Huangshan.

Local authorities have pruned street trees to enhance their wind resistance. In addition, inspections were conducted to identify potential risks and hazards in high-altitude structures such as building exteriors, windows, balconies, outdoor air conditioning units, and billboards.

Due to Typhoon Bavi, Jizhou District in north China's Tianjin Municipality experienced heavy rain on Friday.

The red alert for rain and Level I flood control emergency response for Jizhou remain in effect. All villages across the district have stockpiled emergency supplies.

As of 22:00 Friday, the local authorities in Jizhou had evacuated a total of 3,611 residents.

According to the Beijing Meteorological Service, the Chinese capital is expected to experience torrential rain through Saturday night.

Currently, several parks and venues in the metropolis have been temporarily closed, and many districts have adjusted their cultural, tourism, sporting, and performance event schedules. A total of 73 elderly care facilities have been shut down, with all senior residents evacuated to safe areas.

According to the Beijing municipal flood control and drought relief office, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated citywide.

Eastern, northern China braces for Typhoon Bavi