China-aid cataract surgery program launched in Zimbabwe

A China-aid program offering free cataract surgeries for 600 Zimbabwean patients was launched on Wednesday in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

Under the "Bright Journey" program, a team of 12 specialists from central China's Hunan Province departed for Zimbabwe on Feb 11, with surgeries scheduled to take place from Feb 13 to March 2.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 125,000 people in Zimbabwe were living with blindness in 2021, with 62,500 cases caused by cataracts. Due to the high cost of treatment, many low-income individuals, particularly in rural areas, are unable to access care, leading to preventable blindness.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Zimbabwean Minister of Health and Child Care Douglas Mombeshora said that preventable blindness from cataracts remains as a major public health issue in the country, but the "Bright Journey" program is helping address the challenge.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said that the program demonstrates the strong and enduring friendship between China and Zimbabwe.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, he said, stressing that the program adds a vibrant touch to the anniversary celebrations.

The ambassador said that the program not only helps restore vision for local patients, but also fosters exchanges between Chinese and Zimbabwean doctors and improves eye surgery expertise in Zimbabwe.

Alongside surgeries, the program also includes surgical demonstrations, professional trainings, academic exchanges, and public health education sessions.

China-aid cataract surgery program launched in Zimbabwe

Japan began releasing oil from its reserves Monday to ease supply concerns amid the escalating Middle East conflict and ensure stable distribution of petroleum products, local media reported.

The country is initially releasing 15 days' worth of reserves held by the private sector, with a month's worth of government-held oil to follow, according to Kyodo News.

The Japanese government will lower the mandatory reserve requirement for oil refiners and trading firms from 70 days to 55 days, enabling them to utilize part of their existing inventories.

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the government's plans to release about 80 million barrels of oil, the largest release ever. The amount equals 45 days of domestic consumption and is 1.8 times the volume released following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked northeastern Japan in 2011, Kyodo News reported.

Preparations are underway to sell oil from government-held reserves to wholesalers.

This marks the seventh time Japan has drawn on its oil reserves since the system was introduced in the 1970s. As of the end of 2025, Japan held an oil reserve equivalent to 254 days of domestic demand.

Japan relies on the Middle East for more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports, making it highly vulnerable to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict at the end of February. The disruption has driven sharp rises in crude oil prices in the country.

Japan begins oil reserve release amid Mideast conflict